2007 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Rosé
'The 2007 Comtes de Champagne Rosé is a total knock-out. Racy and exuberant in the glass, the 2007 wraps around the palate with stunning textural depth and resonance. The 15% still Pinot adds structure and persistence to a creamy, inviting Rosé Champagne that will leave readers weak at the knees. Hints of rose petal, dried cherry, cinnamon and dried flowers meld into the sublime finish. This is about as good as it gets. Wow! 97 points' - Antonio Galloni, vinous.com
It knocked Antonio Galloni out, and it had a similar effect at Uncorked yesterday when we used it as an excuse to celebrate Rebecca's (and Uncorked's!) 25th birthday. I stopped focussing on the cake, and was quite captivated by the genuine depth in this Champagne, the complex perfume, the very persistent aftertaste. The strawberry and rose petal aromas are delightful, but it was the profundity of character behind that really captured my attention.
Taittinger is the largest family-owned Champagne house. It is perhaps most known for its prestige cuvee, the Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs, but in exceptional years they also make a Comtes de Champagne Rosé. This is made from grand cru fruit - 30% Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs region and 70% Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims - with 15% of still red wine blended through for depth, and is the most rare cuvee Taittinger releases. I'm with Galloni on this one. Working at Uncorked, I taste a lot of Champagne, but it's not often as good as this. /NT
Offered subject to remaining unsold; available imminently
