Taittinger 2008 Comtes de Champagne

Blanc de Blancs

IT’S NO SURPRISE that the effervescent winner this year hails from the 2008 harvest. That vintage continues to be one of the most outstanding of the millennium for champagne. Taittinger extended the ageing process for an extra two years for this bottle, with the result being that, much as we wanted to move on to the early issues of 2012s and the slew of non-vintage champagnes that came this year, it was a 2008 that captured our palates once again.

Comtes de Champagne is Taittinger’s superlative expression: made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes from the coveted Côtes de Blancs and only in the best years, freeing it from overly tart influences of apple and lemon sometimes seen in champagnes. It has just the right notes of toasty brioche, without veering into buttery tones, cut by the perfect degree of saline minerality. Its fine bubble is almost imperceptible. The wine’s delicate nature balances beautifully with powerful aromas of pear and orange blossom, while the hint of honey on the finish calls you to chase it with yet another sip.