Taittinger
About Champagne Taittinger
Taittinger is one of the few champagne houses still owned by the family on the label. Its origins date back to 1734 but the name is from a young cavalry officer, and eventual owner, who fell in love with the vineyards whilst serving there in WWI. The house style is high in chardonnay, light and elegant.
About Comtes de Champagne
Inspired by the legendary Thibaud IV, King of Navarre and Comte de Champagne, it is believed that this adventurous romantic brought both the Damascus Rose and the ancestor of the Chardonnay grape back to France from Crusade. The vinous world owes this man a great deal, without whom the stunning Blanc de Blancs style would not even exist!
Making its debut as the Maison’s prestige cuvée in 1952, each bottle is emblazoned with the personal seal of Thibaud IV.
Sourced exclusively from Grand Cru sites in the Côte des Blancs, 5 villages just South of Epernay constitute the areas from which the grapes for Comtes de Champagne are grown and harvested in only the very finest years. Each and every plot under Taittinger’s care is cultivated and worked by hand with the utmost care following environmentally friendly principles.
Vinified plot by plot to ensure each individual terroir imparts its uniquely sublime characteristics into the final wine, the highly skilled cellar team blend the final Champagne from the embarrassment of riches at their disposal. A mere 5% of the wine is aged for 5 months in new oak to impart a gentle and subtle toasty note to the final wine, before the liquid treasure is left to slumber for at least a decade in the chalk quarries beneath Saint-Nicaise.
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(3x150cl) 2008Wine Enthusiast (97)
The balance between ripeness and acidity that is the hallmark of this fine vintage is expressed well in this impressive wine. Tangy, with a strong streak of minerality, it is crisp and rich at the same time. For its fruitiness, it is ready to drink; for more maturity, it will need to age until 2018.$590.00 -
(6x75cl) 2008Wine Enthusiast (97)
The balance between ripeness and acidity that is the hallmark of this fine vintage is expressed well in this impressive wine. Tangy, with a strong streak of minerality, it is crisp and rich at the same time. For its fruitiness, it is ready to drink; for more maturity, it will need to age until 2018.$641.00 -
$230.00 -
(6x75cl) 1981$2,310.00 -
(6x75cl) 1983$2,050.00 -
(6x75cl) 1986$2,050.00 -
(6x75cl) 1990$2,050.00 -
(1x75cl) 1981$418.00 -
(1x75cl) 1990$293.00 -
(1x75cl) 1986$487.00 -
$302.00 -
(1x75cl) 1992$427.00 -
Wine Enthusiast (97)
The balance between ripeness and acidity that is the hallmark of this fine vintage is expressed well in this impressive wine. Tangy, with a strong streak of minerality, it is crisp and rich at the same time. For its fruitiness, it is ready to drink; for more maturity, it will need to age until 2018.$266.00 -
(1x75cl) 1978$418.00 -
$302.00 -
(1x75cl) 1964$552.00 -
Vinous (97)
Taittinger’s 1996 Comtes de Champagne is another highlight. The flavors are only now beginning to show elements of complexity, a great sign for aging. Gently spiced and buttery notes suggest the 1996 is about to enter the early part of its maturity, where it is likely to stay for another decade or so.$5,475.00 -
Vinous (98)
We started with a sensational 2002 Taittinger Blanc de Blancs Comtes de Champagne. My word, this is exquisite, representing everything I adore in champagne. Limpid gold in hue, it has a compelling bouquet of walnut, smoke, dried honey and shucked oyster shells that I found utterly entrancing. The palate does not disappoint, displaying an irresistible rounded texture and perfectly pitched acidity that cuts through the flavors of lemon curd, orange pith and crushed stone. It was as if this champagne tries to give you everything you desire, and does it with such aplomb that you cannot help but be smitten. I have no doubt that it will cruise at a high altitude for many years.$1,605.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (97)
The 2004 Comtes de Champagne is at a glorious peak of early maturity where the first notes of aromatic and flavor development have arrived, and yet the wine remains fresh. Apricot, baked apple tart, pastry and touch of reduction all run through this super-classic Comtes de Champagne. Now showing the gentlest hint of patina, the 2004 is magnificent. The delicately saline finish is a thing of beauty. At the outset, many Chefs de Cave believed the 2004s would not age, since at the time, yields were the highest ever in Champagne. Time has proved otherwise for the top wines. This is a great bottle of the 2004, the best I have had yet.$882.00 -
Decanter (95)
A warm, sunny year produced this concentrated, elegant wine with refined aromas of ripe apple and quince, fresh hawthorn and a suggestion of mineral and toast. Supple and velvety in texture, it lacks nothing in substance or power to age for decades. The grapes are exclusively from vines in Avize, Le Mesnil, Oger, and Chouilly. A bit softer than the 2004 vintage, it is still a wine to seek out and should age well over at least the next decade.$766.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (98)
The 2006 Comtes de Champagne is in a great spot. Baked apple tart, spice, chamomile, marzipan, slate and chalk confer tremendous vibrancy and power throughout. Bright saline notes play off the natural exuberance of the year. The 2006 was spectacular on release. It is all that today, too.$1,860.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (98)
The 2006 Comtes de Champagne is in a great spot. Baked apple tart, spice, chamomile, marzipan, slate and chalk confer tremendous vibrancy and power throughout. Bright saline notes play off the natural exuberance of the year. The 2006 was spectacular on release. It is all that today, too.$178.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (98)
The 2006 Comtes de Champagne is in a great spot. Baked apple tart, spice, chamomile, marzipan, slate and chalk confer tremendous vibrancy and power throughout. Bright saline notes play off the natural exuberance of the year. The 2006 was spectacular on release. It is all that today, too.$962.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (98)
The 2006 Comtes de Champagne is in a great spot. Baked apple tart, spice, chamomile, marzipan, slate and chalk confer tremendous vibrancy and power throughout. Bright saline notes play off the natural exuberance of the year. The 2006 was spectacular on release. It is all that today, too.$766.00 -
James Suckling (98)
This is a step up from the linear and fresh 2006. It shows subtle depth and power with a dense block of vivid fruit that's highlighted with lemon zest, green apples and hints of white peaches. Just the right amount of praline and nuts on the nose. Fine and tight bead give the Champagne a luxurious mouthfeel. One for now or the cellar. Drink or hold.$1,805.00 -
James Suckling (98)
This is a step up from the linear and fresh 2006. It shows subtle depth and power with a dense block of vivid fruit that's highlighted with lemon zest, green apples and hints of white peaches. Just the right amount of praline and nuts on the nose. Fine and tight bead give the Champagne a luxurious mouthfeel. One for now or the cellar. Drink or hold.$178.00 -
James Suckling (98)
This is a step up from the linear and fresh 2006. It shows subtle depth and power with a dense block of vivid fruit that's highlighted with lemon zest, green apples and hints of white peaches. Just the right amount of praline and nuts on the nose. Fine and tight bead give the Champagne a luxurious mouthfeel. One for now or the cellar. Drink or hold.$794.00 -
James Suckling (98)
This is a step up from the linear and fresh 2006. It shows subtle depth and power with a dense block of vivid fruit that's highlighted with lemon zest, green apples and hints of white peaches. Just the right amount of praline and nuts on the nose. Fine and tight bead give the Champagne a luxurious mouthfeel. One for now or the cellar. Drink or hold.$722.00 -
(1x150cl) 2008James Suckling (100)
The perfect blanc de blancs. Full-bodied with a lovely framework of acidity and dry fruit, such as apples, pears and peaches. Opulent. Dense and muscular. Yet, it’s balanced and harmonious. Line of acidity at the end. Totally in tune. Superb. Deep and complete. Has everything. One for the cellar. It is the greatest Comte ever. It has everything. A perfect upgrade from two years ago. Drink or hold.$782.00 -
James Suckling (100)
The perfect blanc de blancs. Full-bodied with a lovely framework of acidity and dry fruit, such as apples, pears and peaches. Opulent. Dense and muscular. Yet, it’s balanced and harmonious. Line of acidity at the end. Totally in tune. Superb. Deep and complete. Has everything. One for the cellar. It is the greatest Comte ever. It has everything. A perfect upgrade from two years ago. Drink or hold.$1,535.00

