2013 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne France

Winemaker Notes
The Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs, Champagne Taittinger’s most rare and precious cuvee, was created as a tribute to the Counts (or “Comtes”) of Champagne who ruled over the Saint-Nicaise Abbey and to Thibauld IV in particular. The blend is derived solely from Chardonnay grapes from the highest ranked crus of the Cote des Blancs, the most prestigious source of Chardonnay in Champagne.

Produced only when the harvest is exceptional quality worthy of a vintage year, and only from the first press, Comtes de Champagne is a study in finesse. Since its first cuvee in 1952, just 30 vintages have been deemed worthy of bottling.

Press
Rated 99 points James Suckling
Fantastic complexity here with aromas of toast, biscuit, lemon, almond, chalk and some fennel. It's long, sleek and mineral, with tight, very fine bubbles and so much tension and precision. Very long and chalky finish.

Rated 98 points Vinous
The 2013 Comtes de Champagne is a towering Champagne, as it was last year. Rich, sumptuous and explosive, the 2013 soars out of the glass with a captivating mix of tropical fruit, apricot, passion fruit, baked apple tart, mint and yellow flowers. It is one of the most explosive, extroverted Comtes I have ever tasted. Impressive. 2025-2053 (AG)