Taittinger : Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2015

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2015 by Taittinger

Tasting

Colour
The Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2015 displays a deep, radiant straw-yellow gold colour, enlivened by golden highlights and occasional flashes of green. The fine, delicate bubbles are almost silky.

Nose
The nose opens with iodine, mineral and slightly spicy notes before moving towards pastry and brioche aromas of hazelnut and almond. With aeration, the wine reveals hints of lemon, bergamot, white flowers and fully ripe white fruit.

Palate
The palate is carried by a caressing, delicate mousse that brings a touch of sweetness and fullness. Joyful, rich and fruity, it is marked by citrus and subtle vegetal notes, with a fine balance between structure and finesse.

Food and wine pairings

The Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2015 is a delightful match for white fish ceviche with citrus and avocado, fine oysters and fish tartares. It also pairs beautifully with fish à la meunière served with julienned vegetables, as well as with fruity desserts such as a poached apricot tart with almond cream or a verbena soufflé with raspberry coulis.

Serving and cellaring

The Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2015 is best enjoyed at a temperature of 11°C. With an ageing potential of 10 years or more, it can be enjoyed until around 2035.

The nobility of Chardonnay from the Grands Crus of the Côte des Blancs

The estate

Founded in 1932 when Pierre Taittinger acquired the Château de la Marquetterie near Épernay, the Taittinger house is today one of the last major Champagne brands to remain family-owned and independent. Led since 2020 by its president, Vitalie Taittinger, alongside her brother Clovis Taittinger, managing director, it farms a 288-hectare vineyard spread across 40 of the appellation's finest crus, making it the third-largest estate in Champagne. Committed to a demanding environmental approach, the house holds Haute Valeur Environnementale Level 3, Viticulture Durable en Champagne and ISO 14001 certifications.

The vineyard

The Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Grands Crus draws its grapes from the chalky terroirs of the Côte des Blancs, the heartland of Chardonnay in Champagne. Five Grand Cru villages contribute to this cuvée: Avize, Cramant, Chouilly, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Oger. These plots benefit from a deep chalk subsoil that gives the wines their characteristic minerality and tension. The Taittinger vineyard, farmed according to sustainable viticulture principles, is certified Haute Valeur Environnementale Level 3, Viticulture Durable en Champagne and ISO 14001.

The vintage

The 2015 vintage began with a mild winter followed by a contrasting spring, marked first by a cool spell and then by intense heat. Flowering took place at the usual time, helped along by a dry, sunny June. At the end of August, much-needed rain revived ripening, before the harvest was carried out in early September in cool autumnal conditions. This growing season produced powerful wines with a broad, creamy texture, supported by gentle acidity and fine ageing potential.

Vinification and ageing

The Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2015 is made with a small proportion of the wines, between 6 and 8%, aged in barrels for 4 to 6 months, bringing complexity and texture to the blend. The majority of the cuvée is then aged in the cellars for ten years, allowing it to develop its full depth before release.

Grape variety

This cuvée is made from 100% Chardonnay sourced exclusively from Grands Crus.