2013 Taittinger, Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs

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, apricto, passion fruit, baked apple tart, mint and yellow flowers. It is one of the most explosive, extroverted Comtes I have ever tasted. Impressive. ~ (98) Antonio Galloni , Vinous 3-1-2024

Nervy and tight with notes of crushed almonds, chalk, white grapefruit, digestive biscuits, lemons and apricot stones. Hints of fennel and white pepper. Deep and mineral, with plenty of power. Very fine bubbles. Long drive at the end. Try after 2024.

~ (98) James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com 7-6-2023

Pale lemony straw colour. This seems to have the characteristic intricate sort-of 'embroidered' nose – lots going on there but still delicate. Masses of lemon-curd flavours and a bit of something mineral. Much more refreshing than the 2011 rosé counterpart although there is lots of fruit on the finish too. The polar opposite of a grower's Zero Dosage! But very luxuriously textured and, with its marked acidity, definitely a champagne that will repay ageing. ~ (18) Jancis Robinson, JancisRobinson.com 10-25-2023