Comtes de Champagne Brut (2011)

About this wine

The 2011 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs is a 100% Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs' Grand Cru vineyards. It presents a pale yellow color with fine, persistent bubbles. The nose offers aromas of pear, lime, white pepper, and orange blossom, with hints of licorice and toasted notes. On the palate, it is vibrant and complex, with flavors of white fruits, grapefruit, and mint, leading to a delicately honeyed finish. This Champagne underwent a decade of maturation in Taittinger's historic chalk cellars, contributing to its depth and character.

About the grape

Chardonnay, a green-skinned grape variety, is the sole grape used in the 2011 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Brut. Originating from the Burgundy region, Chardonnay has become integral to Champagne production, especially in the Côte des Blancs area, where it thrives in the chalky soils. This region is renowned for producing Blanc de Blancs Champagnes, made exclusively from Chardonnay, celebrated for their crisp acidity and mineral undertones. The 2011 vintage was marked by early ripening and a spring drought, prompting the vines to develop deep root systems in search of water, which contributed to the wine's complexity and aging potential.

Quick facts

• 🍇 The 2011 Comtes de Champagne is crafted exclusively from Chardonnay grapes sourced from five Grand Cru villages in the Côte des Blancs: Avize, Chouilly, Cramant, Oger, and Mesnil-sur-Oger.
• 🪵 This vintage underwent a unique aging process, with 5% of the blend matured for four months in fresh oak barrels, imparting delicate toasted notes to the final wine.
• 🌞 The 2011 growing season was marked by early ripening and a spring drought, compelling the vines to develop deeper root systems in search of water, resulting in a wine of notable depth and complexity.
• 🏰 After production, the Comtes de Champagne 2011 was aged for up to 10 years in the historic chalk cellars beneath the Saint-Nicaise Abbey in Reims, enhancing its complexity and depth.
• 🏆 The 2011 Comtes de Champagne has received high praise from critics, including a 97-point rating from James Suckling, who described it as 'firm, fresh, and energetic.'

Palate profile

Producer

Taittinger, one of the few remaining family-owned Champagne houses, traces its origins to 1734 when Jacques Fourneaux founded the original wine business. In 1932, Pierre Taittinger acquired the estate, including the historic Château de la Marquetterie, which became the heart of the family's Champagne production. The house is renowned for its extensive vineyards, covering 288 hectares across 37 different crus, with a notable emphasis on Chardonnay, comprising 37% of their plantings. Taittinger's commitment to quality is evident in their use of the ancient chalk cellars of the former Saint-Nicaise Abbey in Reims for aging their Champagnes, providing ideal conditions for maturation. In 2015, embracing innovation, Taittinger became the first Champagne house to plant vineyards in England, establishing Domaine Evremond in Kent to produce English sparkling wine.