Taittinger Comtes Champagne 2014
Taittinger's flagship, Comtes de Champagne holds an enviable position among the very finest blanc de blancs. TYSON STELZER
A stylish and sophisticated champagne, it needs a long time aging in the cellar to reveal its full character and complexity…PETER LIEM
This brilliant blanc de blancs prestige cuvee, made from Grand Cru fruit, first appeared in the 1952 vintage…exquisite, crystalline, green gold. Wonderful, classy acids drive this exciting wine like the most streamlined TGV, its incisive scents perfectly foiled by a rich, leesy character, torrefaction and minerality, all in complete harmony. A generous but always finedrawn mouthfeel makes this the benchmark of great aperitif Champagne… MICHAEL EDWARDS
Taittinger's Comtes de Champagne shines in 2014. It's a vintage that offered crisp yet open and beautifully defined wines from the grand cru Chardonnays of the Côte des Blancs…DECANTER
2014 Vintage: The year 2014 revealed itself late, it was one of the last vintages to be harvested in October. Spring was slow to arrive after an especially long and cold winter. By mid-April, an exceptional summer began: warm, dry and bright, with over 800 hours of sunshine a record for Champagne! The grapes developed with remarkable strength and vitality. A few light showers in early September helped the bunches gain in volume and ripeness.
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It’s hard for me to get a word in given all the love for this Champagne. Year in, year out it overdelivers and captures hearts. And the mind ransom, it’s hard to get another thought in while drinking this beauty. The 2014 release is exquisite flexing regal minerality and finesse.
Galloni likens it to a ‘mini-2008’….WOW! And Champagne critic and MW Essi Avellan scores it 98, citing, ‘an airy palate of great refinement…A beautiful vintage.’
2014 is a brilliant vintage, especially for chardonnay. I remember BdB master, Rodolphe Peters jumping out of his chair while we were tasting with him a few years back, he was so excited about 2014. He loved its classical and linear nature - these are wines built of precision and tension underlined by a superfine chalky minerality.
Made only from Grand Cru fruit, Comtes represents just 2% of Taittinger’s production. They really do only take the cream from the top for this Champagne. Sourced mostly from Avize, Le Mesnil and Oger, they also include some Chouilly and Cramant. Adding to its richness and depth-defying palate, since 1989 they have included a small percentage (no more than five percent) of barrel-aged wine.
Give this time in the cellar - Peter Liem suggests they peak around the 15 year mark. That's hard to shake from your mind, knowing you have some of these in the cellar and trying not to pop the cork.
Cheers
Gabrielle Poy
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Taittinger Comtes de Champagne 2014Comtes de Champagne lives up to all expectations. Despite the difficult growing season, the result is shiny and coolly reserved - a classic Comtes. The underlying toastiness is there, waiting to be amplified over time. Fruitiness is pristine with lemon, lime and fruit candies mingling with crunchy pear and green apple notes. Immediately charming on the driven, airy palate of great refinement. A beautiful vintage for Comtes. (98) ESSI AVELLAN MW
The 2014 Comtes de Champagne is pristine. In this tasting, it comes across as a mini-2008, similar in its linear personality, with just a touch more mid-palate creaminess. Readers will find a Comtes that plays in the realm of tension and energy. Citrus confit, white flowers, chalk, mint and chamomile are all finely sketched. Light tropical overtones grace the finish. What an absolute delight. The 2014 can be enjoyed now or cellared. Dosage is 9 grams per liter. (97) ANTONIO GALLONI
Special Price $465.00 Regular Price $545.00 As low as $445.00