Taittinger

Comtes de Champagne 2014 | Bottle 75cl

Description

Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2014 embodies the quintessence of the Taittinger style: purity, elegance, and energy. Made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes grown in the Grands Crus vineyards of the Côte des Blancs, this rare vintage reveals a crystalline expression of the Champagne terroir. It stands out for its refinement and precision, the hallmarks of a great wine with superb balance and aging potential.

The production of Comtes de Champagne 2014

The vineyard and terroirs

Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2014 comes exclusively from the Grand Cru villages of Avize, Cramant, Chouilly, Oger, and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. These legendary terroirs of the Côte des Blancs rest on chalky soils from the Upper Cretaceous period. This chalk, which is both porous and well-drained, acts as a natural thermal regulator, ensuring that the grapes ripen slowly and evenly. It is this intimate contact between the vines and the subsoil that gives the cuvée its signature saline and mineral character.

The 2014 vintage

The 2014 vintage was marked by contrasting weather conditions: a mild winter, a warm spring, and then a cooler summer. September was sunny and dry, allowing the grapes to ripen gradually and evenly. This bright year produced Chardonnays with remarkable tension, combining freshness, fruitiness, and depth. The 2014 vintage is thus oneof balance and longevity, where purity and energy blend in perfect harmony.

Blend

The Comtes de Champagne 2014 cuvée is made exclusively from Chardonnay, which gives the wine its crystalline purity, aromatic finesse, and mineral tension. The exclusive choice of this emblematic grape variety reinforces the wine's freshness and verticality, while expressing the nobility of the chalky terroir of the Côte des Blancs.

Vinification and aging

The vinification follows traditional Champagne methods, with a focus on balance and precision. Approximately 6 to 8% of the wines are aged in oak barrels for 4 to 6 months to add a touch of aromatic complexity and a slight woody patina. The wine is then aged for ten years on fine lees in the historic chalk cellars of Reims. This long aging process gives the wine a silky texture, a racy structure, and a persistent freshness. The dosage, between 8 and 9 g/L, perfects the balance between tension and roundness.

Tasting notes

• Color

  The color of Comtes de Champagne 2014 is a crystalline, luminous yellow with silvery highlights. The effervescence, which is extremely refined, forms a delicate, persistent cordon, highlighting the visual purity of the wine and the precision of its long aging in the cellar.

• Nose

  The nose reveals remarkable complexity: chalky and mineral notes intertwine with nuances of pastry, brioche, and lemon meringue pie. There are also aromas of fresh hazelnut, toasted almond, and white flowers, complemented by hints of citrus and aromatic herbs. With aeration, the wine gains depth, revealing a subtle iodine dimension.

• Palate

  The palate seduces with its caressing and dynamic texture. The fine effervescence integrates perfectly into a straight, taut and salty structure. Freshness imposes itself from the attack, balanced by a noble bitterness and a slight vinosity. The finish, long and persistent, leaves a mineral and salty imprint, the signature of the great Chardonnays of the Côte des Blancs.

Serving suggestions

Appetizer bites

• Scallop carpaccio with lime
• Mini blinis with caviar
• Sea bream tartare with fresh coriander

Main courses

• Poached blue lobster, citrus butter
• Sole meunière and julienned vegetables
• Creamy lemon and white asparagus risotto

Desserts

• Brillat-Savarin with roasted pears and honey
• Citrus panna cotta
• Thin pear tart with almond cream

Storage and serving tips

Storage

Store Comtes de Champagne 2014 horizontally, away from light, in a cool (10 to 12°C) and stable cellar. This Blanc de Blancs champagne is made for aging: its structure and balance will allow it to evolve harmoniously for several years.

Aging potential

Already perfectly balanced today, Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2014 can be stored until 2034. With time, it will develop nuances of honey, dried fruit, and toast while preserving its mineral tension and liveliness.

Serving

Serve at a temperature of 11°C to reveal the wine's aromatic finesse and satiny texture. A light aeration in the glass will highlight the aromatic richness and saline depth of this great vintage.