The 2008 Comtes de Champagne Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs from Champagne Taittinger is regarded by many critics and enthusiasts as one of the finest Blanc de Blancs Champagnes of the modern era. It is the prestige cuvée of the house when working exclusively with Chardonnay, and the 2008 vintage has already attained an almost mythical status within the region.
“Comtes de Champagne” represents the pinnacle of Taittinger’s range. It is produced only in exceptional vintages and exclusively from Grand Cru vineyards in the Côte des Blancs: Avize, Chouilly, Cramant, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Oger.
The wine is crafted from 100% Chardonnay and solely from the cuvée — the purest and finest juice obtained from the pressing. It is then aged for many years on its lees in the historic chalk cellars (crayères) of Reims before being released onto the market.
In this Comtes, the vintage expresses itself through extraordinary mineral tension, vibrant acidity, remarkable ageing potential, and a superb balance between power and elegance.
On the nose, it is a deeply complex Champagne that remains remarkably youthful for its age. Successive layers of preserved lemon, grapefruit zest, ripe pear, white peach, white flowers, delicate brioche, toasted almond, wet chalk, saline notes and subtle smokiness emerge from the glass. With aeration, hints of butter, fine pastry, light honey and refreshing menthol nuances begin to unfold.
The palate combines impressive volume and creaminess with exceptional precision, verticality and tension. The mousse is extraordinarily fine, almost silky in texture, while the finish is remarkably persistent, marked by the chalky minerality that is the hallmark of the Côte des Blancs. The wine seems to expand continuously in the glass, revealing new dimensions with every sip.
Its ageing potential is arguably one of the most impressive aspects of the 2008 vintage, as it is only now entering its optimal drinking window. It can continue to evolve gracefully for another 20 to 30 years, gaining further tertiary complexity while retaining its freshness, energy and remarkable sense of balance
Sobrelías Redacción
Sobrelías Redacción