2014 Taittinger Comtes De Champagne 750ml Bottle

The 2014 Comtes de Champagne is pristine. In this tasting, it comes across as a mini-2008, similar in its linear personality, with just a touch more mid-palate creaminess. Readers will find a Comtes that plays in the realm of tension and energy. Citrus confit, white flowers, chalk, mint and chamomile are all finely sketched. Light tropical overtones grace the finish. What an absolute delight. The 2014 can be enjoyed now or cellared. Dosage is 9 grams per liter.' 97 points - Antonio Galloni, Vinous

Frankly, who cares about the specs – for the record, this Chardonnay hails from Grands Crus Avize, Cramant, Chouilly, Oger and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger; it spent 10 years in the cellar; its dosage is 8-9g/L. Nothing new here. What is showstopping about this wine is that it is an absolute beauty from the tips of its toes to the last fibre of its being. While the world and its aunt went tonto about the 2013, I held my cards close to my chest. It was a wine I liked on release and still like (yes, just like) today. It is impressive, towering and structured, but for me, it doesn’t resonate deeply in my psyche on account of scale and muscle alone. The building blocks are too rigid and brusque to conjure up a sense of true wonder, and Comtes is a wine I have been enchanted with in the past, so when four-square vintages come along, I find myself sitting on the sidelines while other commentators dance their jigs. So, with a couple of ounces of trepidation, I approached the 2014 release on Monday afternoon, only to be told to jog off and come back when it was the right temperature. Easy enough, but this only served to heighten my expectations. One hour later, and perfectly chilled, it was poured into my glass and the world, for a minute or two, became a glittering kaleidoscope of effortless, cleansing, elegant and sophisticated Grand-Cru-born, and perfectly balanced Chardonnay. This is the world of Comtes, as I know it. I demand, and only react to, an exultant level of pristine fruit and seamless palate texture that this 2014 (and a handful of previous vintages) offer, and in addition, the finish, tension, and, ultimately, the pay-off, which is evinced in a sensational flavour memory which encapsulates the legend of this wine and its reputation, is complete. This is Comtes. This is the Taittinger House in a sip! It is a phenomenal Chardonnay from the historic Côtes des Blancs, and it is not only drinking now, but I venture it will roll for a further decade and more without breaking step. If you, like me, have missed ‘classic Comtes’ of late, here she is. And this is why this beautiful wine has pushed all others aside to stand in the spotlight this week. ' 19.5/20 Matthew Jukes

Occupying a stylistic middle ground between the incisiveness of the 2013 and the fleshier textures of the 2012, Taittinger’s 2014 Blanc de Blancs Comtes de Champagne—disgorged in July 2024 with a dosage of nine grams per liter—has turned out beautifully. It offers aromas of orange peel, peach, pear and brioche mingled with hazelnut and burnt buttered toast. On the palate, it is full-bodied, ample and textural, with a layered yet crisp core of fruit, considerable tension and a long, chalky finish. Harmonious and racy-fresh though it is, this is a marginally richer rendition than the 2013 tasted alongside it, yet both promise excellent longevity and will make for fascinating comparative tastings in the years to come. 96 Points - Kristaps Karklins, The Wine Advocate 

Apricots, hazelnuts, lemons, white flowers, sliced almonds and hints of licorice on the nose. It's creamy and layered, with soft, rounded bubbles that spread across the palate. Lovely balance of breadth, ripeness and freshness, with delicious wildflower honey and nut notes lingering. 100% grand cru chardonnay from Avize, Mesnil-sur-Oger, Oger, Cramant and Chouilly. Drink or hold. 97 Points - Claire Nesbitt, jamessuckling.com