Les Comtes is, of course, one of the greatest of all-Chardonnay Champagnes, its fruit sourced from the finest Grand Cru sites of the Côte des Blancs. Blue chip provenance

Includes:: the villages of Avize, le Mesnil-sur-Oger & Cramant; the best of the best in other words. Or, doubly appropriate, given its luxuriant gustatory profile; la crème de la crème. 5% of the wine is aged in wood before Spring bottling & the ensuing lengthy somnolence wherein the alchemical process of autolysis weaves its patient magic over a decade. 2000, for all the sound & fury equated with the millennium, is a relatively forward vintage, captured here by rich creamy flavors. Fresh almonds, vanillin & verbena are balanced by a generous biscuity, spicy brioche character & then a firm & discretely indulgent finish. Poise & power are powerfully poised….. this is clearly a very noble count, one which we are advised to try with tuna carpaccio with truffle, which sounds like a very sensible idea.

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An expressive release, Taittinger Millesime Bru Champagne Vintage 2002 is loaded with mature fruits on aromas & the palate. ...

Champagne Taittinger will only produce a vintage when the harvest is of exceptional quality. The bottles are first aged in the cellars for several years, allowing the aromas to slowly mature & the wine to develop length & complexity, before they are ready to be enjoyed. Taittinger Brut Millesime 2002 is an exclusive blend of first press wines. The foundation & consistency of the distinctive Taittinger style relies greatly on the proportion of each grape variety in the blend: Pinot Noir lends the finished blend body, vinosity, structure & power as well as the elegant red berry aromas typical of the variety; Chardonnay contributes elegance, finesse, crispness & delicacy to the blend, as well as a degree of structure & longevity. ...

Taittinger Prelude is a harmonious blend of Chardonnay & minerality & Pinot Noir aromatic notes, & aged for more than 5 years on lees for additional complexity. From select Grand Crus vineyards, this champagne has fresh floral aromas. ...

Delicate salmon pink in colour. Its aromas are fresh with wild strawberries & a hint of spice. On the palate this lively, fruity, fresh & elegant wine is balanced & smooth with good length & persistent flavours of crushed wild raspberry, cherry & blackcurrant. Overall, the Prestige Rose displays charm & subtle harmony of flavours. The fresh fruit flavours make this Champagne the perfect summer aperitif. However, it also goes well with fruit based desserts & selected cheeses. ...

The Taittinger Brut Prestige rose is made in the L’addition method to ensure consistency & quality across the blend. The blend is made up of 45% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay & 35% Pinot Meunier, it is then bottled & rested for 3 years. ...

The Brut Reserve is renowned for its golden yellow colour with a consistent, fine, lingering mousse. The nose is light & delicate with hints of fruits & brioche. The palate is lean, but has considerable depth & elegance with a long fresh finish. There is no specific drinking occasion for the Brut Reserve. Its elegance & lightness give it the flexibility to be the Champagne for the moment but it is always an excellent aperitif. ...

The Taittinger Brut Reserve is produced each year from a combination of first pressed 35% Pinot Noir, 25% Pinot Meunier & 40% Chardonnay & also contains a portion of reserve wine to ensure consistency before being aged for 34 years. ...

The Brut Reserve is renowned for its golden yellow colour with a consistent, fine, lingering mousse. The nose is light & delicate with hints of fruits & brioche. The palate is lean, but has considerable depth & elegance with a long fresh finish. There is no specific drinking occasion for the Brut Reserve. Its elegance & lightness give it the flexibility to be the Champagne for the moment but it is always an excellent aperitif. ...

The Brut Reserve is renowned for its golden yellow colour with a consistent, fine, lingering mousse. The nose is light & delicate with hints of fruits & brioche. The palate is lean, but has considerable depth & elegance with a long fresh finish. There is no specific drinking occasion for the Brut Reserve. Its elegance & lightness give it the flexibility to be the Champagne for the moment but it is always an excellent aperitif. ...