2015 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne: 'wonderfully expressive'

The quintessence of Blanc des Blancs

It's the quintessence of the Blanc des Blancs style, and fits firmly in the pantheon of top Champagnes. It's made exclusively with Chardonnay from grand cru villages on the Côte des Blancs: Avize, Chouilly, Cramant, Mesnil-sur-Oger and Oger. It's only made in vintages when it can excel. It is Taittinger's Comtes de Champagne.

Comtes is principally vinified in steel tanks, to keep the freshness and the fruit profile intact, but 5% of the cuvée is aged for 4 months in oak barrels. That imparts a discreetly toasted note into the final flavour weave. The vinification is precise in the extreme, and only the first press juice (the finest run) is used. It is aged for a full 10 years before release.

2015 saw a dramatic growing season sweep between a cold spring and a hot, dry summer when drought became an issue. Much-needed rain arrived at the end of August, heralding an early harvest of ripe, intense fruit. That in turn has led to a great Comtes, one which perhaps brings a more delicate expression than recent vintages, but with the hallmarks of the best. /NT

Offered subject to remaining unsold. Available January 2027.To place an order, click on the wines below or call 020 7638 5998