Taittinger

Millésime 2018 | Bottle 75cl - Box

The colour is a golden hue with pale glints, animated by a fine bead that rises in a steady stream, born of the long rest in tank before disgorgement.

The nose opens with delicate floral notes, before giving way to touches of white fruit and yellow fruit. Time spent on lees then reveals pastry and brioche-like notes, rounded off with a hint of almond that adds depth.

The palate opens with a lively freshness and an immediate sense of energy, carried by honeysuckle notes mingled with lovely hints of peach and citrus. The texture reveals itself as silky, supported by a fine aromatic concentration and a crisp mineral edge, the full malolactic fermentation having preserved this backbone without hardening the wine. Flavours of ripe fruit mingle with nuances of citrus and toasty notes, for a long, elegant palate lifted by a touch of salinity. The subtle finish lingers on lovely bitter notes of orange peel.

• Comté gougères
• Smoked almonds
• Foie gras toast

• Creamy Bresse chicken
• Pan-seared scallops
• Morel risotto

• Pear almond tart
• Brie de Meaux
• Apricot financier

Your bottle travels in shipping packaging designed specifically for transporting champagne, so it arrives in perfect condition. From there, a few simple habits are all it takes. Lay it on its side: this keeps the wine in contact with the cork, which retains its elasticity and continues to protect the cuvée properly. Store it somewhere with a stable temperature, around 12°C if possible, as sudden swings tire the wine and speed up its evolution. A little ambient humidity is welcome too, to stop the cork drying out. Keep it away from light, especially direct sunlight: this is what's known as "lightstrike", a flaw in aroma that exposure to light can cause over time. Finally, avoid vibrations and frequent handling, so the wine can rest undisturbed. With this 2018 vintage, you have plenty of leeway: these few precautions are enough to preserve all its freshness until you're ready to open it.

The style of the Millésime 2018 from Taittinger champagne will evolve over several years, offering different faces depending on when it's tasted. This is a wine with an ageing potential of around 15 years.

• From 2026 the champagne shows bright aromas of citrus and green apple, with floral notes and lovely freshness.
• Up to 2032 the cuvée develops notes of toasted brioche and pastry, with yellow fruit underscored by a lovely patina.
• Around 2040 the champagne offers evolved aromas of stewed fruit, sweet spice, honey and dried fruit.

Serve this Millésime 2018 at 9-10°C as an aperitif, and a touch warmer (11-12°C) alongside a dish. Choose a slender flute or, better still, a tulip glass: its narrower shape concentrates the aromas and lets the bubbles breathe for longer than a coupe would. Open the bottle by holding the cork firmly and turning the base, easing it out without a loud pop, then pour gently in two stages to stop the foam overflowing. There's no need to decant or open it ahead of time: serve it as soon as it's opened, and it's ready to show all its freshness.

Alexandre Ponnavoy, hailing from Burgundy and the son and grandson of farmers, took over from Loïc Dupont after thirty years working alongside him, having served as his deputy from 2015. This 2018 vintage already bears his stamp, born of a strict selection of the year's finest plots. Taittinger carries this same rigour through to its most intimate cuvée, Les Folies de La Marquetterie, born at the heart of its historic vineyard.