15 Sep 2021

This morning's release of 2011 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne is the first since 2008.  Only released in the best vintages, no Comtes was made in 2009 or 2010.  2011 was a difficult year for Pinot Noir in Champagne, but Chardonnay did very well on the Cotes des Blancs; hence this is a year for Blanc de Blancs, and Comtes de Champagne is among the best. 

James Suckling scores this latest release 97 points, describing it as "Floral...Refreshing and energetic" with a combination of minerality and a full-bodied, phenolic richness, making for a very complete wine.  Taittinger themselves describe the 2011 as voluptuous, a consequence of the drought which marked the year, concentrating the fruit.

Comtes de Champagne is made with Chardonnay from the 5 Grands Crus classified villages on the Côte des Blancs: Avize, Chouilly, Cramant, Mesnil-sur-Oger and Oger. This unique terroir is a strip of land measuring barely 20km. The thousand-year-old chalk is present on the surface, creating a real oasis of water and warmth. White grapes flourish beautifully on this type of soil, from which they derive minerality, strength and aromatic sophistication. For Comtes, only the tête de cuvée or first pressing is used. 5% is aged for 4 months in new oak barrels, one third of which are replaced each year.

This latest release will give immediate enjoyment and will also age beautifully over the next decade.  

Production is down for the 2011 and availability very limited, so please let us know as soon as possible if you would like a case.

Offered en primeur, available spring 2022.

 

2011 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne

"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. 97 Points.”  James Suckling

£535 per six bottles in bond (LIMITED AVAILABILITY)

Producer Profile

Champagne Taittinger, Rheims

Taittinger dates back to 1734, but it was only after 1932 when Pierre Taittinger bought Forest-Fourneaux that it took on the name we know today.  Along with it, came the Châeau de la Marquetterie.  Taittinger came from a family of wine merchants and as a cavalry officer during the First World War he had stayed at the Châeau de la Marquetterie, which stands in amongst the vines in the village of Pierry. 

Today, Taittinger is one of a handful of remaining independent, family-owned houses. Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger retired in 2019 and was succeeded as President by his daughter Vitalie. The company owns 288-hectares of vineyards, and the wines are aged in four kilometres of 'Crayeres' or Roman-era chalk cellars located beneath Rheims.  Taittinger also own Cremant de Loire producer Bouvet Ladubay.