Produced only in exceptional vintage years and intended as the ultimate expression of the Taittinger style, this wine is composed entirely of Chardonnay grapes grown in the top vineyards of the prestigious Côte des Blancs. Only the first press juice is used. A small proportion (5%) of the blend spends three to four months in new oak barrels, enhancing the intrinsic qualities of the final blend. Prior to disgorgement, the Blanc de Blancs is aged for 10 years on the lees in 13th-century chalk cellars that were once the property of Saint Nicaise abbey.

THE VINTAGE

The year 2014 revealed itself late in fact, it was one of the last vintages to be harvested in October. Spring was slow to arrive after an especially long and cold winter. By mid-April, an exceptional summer began: warm, dry and bright, with over 800 hours of sunshine a record for Champagne! The grapes developed with remarkable strength and vitality. A few light showers in early September helped the bunches gain in volume and ripeness.

TASTING NOTES

On the eye: Crystalline, with a sparkling yellow color and slight flashes of silver. Its bubbles are fine and delicate, with an almost silky texture.

On the nose: We encounter a Comtes de Champagne that opens with a chalky, briny, mineral feel; aromas that connect us to the love of the terroir from which it was born. Then the nose expands into toasted notes of brioche and pastries flavored with lemon meringue, hazelnut and almond. Once the wine has breathed, the 2014 millésime expresses its full energy in notes of citrus, white flowers, white fruit and aromatic botanicals.

On the palate: The bubbles leave a gentle caress with a hint of zest and passion. This Comtes de Champagne 2014 offers a superb, mouthwatering freshness, an excellent structure with light components, refined bitter notes, and a long, saline finish.

PAIRING

Scallop carpaccio, blue lobster, salmon roe, sole meunière. Brillat-Savarin cheese and spice-roasted apple/ pear.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Varietals: 100% Chardonnay

Appellation: Assembled from the 5 villages with a Grands Crus classification for the Chardonnay grape (Avize, Chouilly, Cramant, Oger, Mesnil-sur-Oger)

Aging: Up to 10 years in the chalk quarries beneath Saint-Nicaise