| Region | |
|---|---|
| Subregion | France > Champagne |
| Colour | White |
| Type | Sparkling |
After the tightly coiled, hyper-concentrated 2008, Taittinger's 2011 Brut Blanc de Blancs Comtes de Champagne represents a more immediate, charming rendition of this cuvée. Bursting from the glass with aromas of orchard and stone fruit mingled with notions of pastry cream, blanched almonds and mandarin, it's medium to full-bodied, pillowy and fleshy, with a soft and enveloping profile, lively acids and a pretty pinpoint mousse. Readers might think of the 2011 as a somewhat less reductive and less intense stylistic sibling of the 2006, and as it takes on more toasty complexity with bottle age, it will make for immensely seductive drinking.
Formed - as ever - from 100% Chardonnay, the variety that excelled in 2011. Pale straw colour in the class, the nose is quintessential Comtes: elegant, with notes of freshly baked bread, hazelnut and cool lemon curd. There is a creaminess underneath, but for now this is a youthful, vibrant expression. The palate is precise and linear, a streak of zesty acidity cutting through a generous, velveteen mousse. Notes of rye and struck flint mingle with buttery citrus. Everything is perfectly proportioned in this refined and extremely moreish wine. The structure allows this to be approachable already, though there is no doubting the potential to age for over a decade. The finish is driven, focused but long - savoury, toasted spices linger together with bright and fresh fruit.
A firm, fresh Comtes with a tight and composed palate. It’s full-bodied with a racy mid-palate. Long and persistent. Very structured with phenolics and acidity. Minerally. Floral, too. Refreshing and energetic. September 2021 release. Drink or hold.
