Taittinger, Blanc de Blancs, Comtes de Champagne,

An insider Champagne, the Comtes de Champagne from Taittinger 2011 is at a great moment to begin drinking. A Blanc de Blancs made entirely from Chardonnay grapes sourced from entirely from Grand Cru vineyards in Avize, Chouilly, Cramant, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Oger, this is accomplished and moreish, with plenty of grip, green apple, quince and citrus fruit, with expertly-maintained kicks of citrus peel and apricot pit through the palate, deepening in complexity and exotic fruit expression in the glass. 9 years on the lees, disgorged April 2021, 9 g/l dosage.

The 2011 Comtes de Champagne remains a challenging wine. Short, compact and lacking in complexity, the 2011 just doesn’t have that much to offer. On a more positive note, there’s good freshness and fewer of the vegetal notes I saw a few years ago. This is the best showing yet for the 2011.