Taittinger : Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2011

Taittinger reveals a fresh and complex Blanc de Blancs champagne

The estate

The history of the Taittinger Champagne House began at the beginning of the 20th century. Led by Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger and his two children, Clovis and Vitalie, the House of Taittinger has maintained a family spirit through the production of champagnes that highlight the expression of Chardonnay. Since January 1, 2020, Vitalie Taittinger has been President of Champagne Taittinger.

The vineyard

The Champagne Taittinger vineyard covers 288 hectares of vines and includes 37 different plots. In fact, Taittinger boasts the third largest vineyard area in Champagne. The entire vineyard is certified for High Environmental Value.

The wine

Taittinger's 2011 Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs is made with grapes exclusively from the five Grands Crus of the Côte des Blancs (Avize, Chouilly, Cramant, Mesnil-sur-Oger and Oger). Stretching over a strip of barely 20km, this exceptional terroir owes its uniqueness to its chalky soils, which confer a certain minerality, power and rare aromatic finesse to the wines.

The vintage

The mild winter conditions favoured an early bud break. The drought recorded during the spring pushed the vine to draw from its water reserves, necessary for good development. A vintage characterised by late ripening, 2011 revealed all the finesse, freshness and richness of the Grands Crus of the Côtes des Blancs.

Vinification and ageing

A rare and world-renowned cuvée, the Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs by the Taittinger Champagne House underwent a very rigourous and long winemaking process. Only the wines from the first press, the purest, were used. 5% of the wines used in the blend were aged for 4 months in new oak barrels, topped up each year, adding toasted notes to the finished wine. Finally, this exceptional champagne was patiently aged for ten years in the Gallo-Roman chalk cellars of the former Abbey of Saint-Nicaise, in Reims.

The blend

The Comtes de Taittinger Blanc de Blancs 2011 from Taittinger is a 100% Chardonnay.

The tasting

Colour

The champagne displays a bright and beautiful straw yellow colour, adorned with subtle golden reflections. The effervescence is delicate and creamy.

Nose

The ideal expression of fruit harvested at full maturity, the voluptuous nose reveals gourmet fragrances of gingerbread, liquorice and meringue. Upon swirling the glass, the bouquet becomes more complex, displaying aromas of white-fleshed fruits (vine peaches, cherimoya, mandarin peel) harmoniously blended with notes of almond pastry.

Palate

The attack is lively and crystalline in texture. Powerful, full-bodied and mineral, the palate seduces with its iodine notes and a precision imparted by the chalky soil. This great champagne combines aromas of candied fruit, sweet spices (anise, coriander) with exceptional freshness. This Comtes de Taittinger Blanc de Blancs 2011 is the most successful expression of Maison Taittinger's style.

Cellaring

Available now, Taittinger's Comtes de Taittinger Blanc de Blancs 2011 can be cellared for several decades, allowing it to express its entire aromatic palette.

Food and wine pairings

This great Blanc de Blancs champagne is the ideal pairing with seafood starters, fine shellfish or fish.

Service

For optimal tasting, serve at 11 ° C.