Really capturing a moment in time, the intensity of the Comtes de Champagne 2013 suggests that it offers all the ageing potential that is to be expected of such a cuvee. Supported by a fine structure, this wine achieves a rare level of intensity in this vintage year of optimum ripeness.
In 2013 the grapes were slow to ripen, which is why this was one of the last vintages harvested in October. Spring arrived late after a particularly long and cold winter. Meanwhile, mid-April was exceptionally hot, dry and sunny with over 800 hours of sunshine – unprecedented in Champagne country! The grapes developed with a new-found impetus. Some light rainfall in early September helped the clusters increase in size and ripen at an accelerated rate.
THE COMTES DE CHAMPAGNE TERROIR
“We made the decision to only retain the five Grands Crus from the Côte des Blancs for the Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blanc cuvee,” explains Damien le Sueur, the Managing Director of Maison Taittinger. Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs is characterised by its composition of Chardonnays, exclusively sourced from prestigious villages : Avize, Chouilly, Cramant, Mesnil-sur-Oger et Oger. This unique terroir is a narrow strip of land measuring just 20 kilometres. The thousand-year-old chalk on its surface provides the area with a natural water and heat reservoir, creating optimum conditions for white grapes to flourish.
This soil lends these grapes their minerality, strength and aromatic delicacy.
THE CREATION OF A NEW VINTAGE
Production of vintages by Maison Taittinger isn’t actually planned and this is even more the case with Comtes de Champagne. The decision to produce a new vintage is based on a demanding philosophy, a guarantee of the Maison Taittinger signature. “All Comtes de Champagne vintages are unique; however, they all belong to the same family with shared DNA, a common thread when it comes to tension, finesse and precision,” notes Damien le Sueur.
The technical process determining the Comtes de Champagne creation precludes any large scale production. “The decision is always based on tasting still wines,” explains the Director General of Maison Taittinger. Whether production is a foregone conclusion or whether it is subject to mature reflection, what prevails is the wine’s potential to evolve. What will this wine reveal in 10, 15, 20 years? Comtes champagnes have great ageing potential. Of course, the wine is no longer the same after being laid down for 40 years; it will develop new aromas of brioche bread, buttered bread, but it will never seem overwhelmed, never heavy, never ‘stewed’.
Comtes de Champagne benefits from a great deal of care and attention until it reaches peak condition. During the 10 years it has spent slowly maturing in cellars, time has worked its magic, meaning this vintage develops an extraordinary ageing potential and energy.
THE SUBTLETIES OF COMTES DE CHAMPAGNE BLANC DE BLANCS 2013
Crystal clear, with a beautiful golden shimmer through colours of straw yellow and reflections of gold, the Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blanc 2013 has a fine, delicate and lively bead.
This vintage captivates through its precision, its density and its blend of ripe citrus fruit flavours with pastry notes. The nose takes you into a world of freshness, opening smoothly to reveal a natural expression of radiant flavours and nuances underpinned by subtle acidity.
On the palate, the wine quickly pulsates as its effervescence unfurls into an invigorating sensation. It tightens up on the finish to leave a lingering taste imbued with ginger and liquorice. Possessing a natural delicacy, this Comtes de Champagne 2013 extends its energy with dynamism and a striking purity of aromas, superbly revealing the saline and mineral austerity of the excellent Côte des Blancs terroirs.
HOW TO PAIR THIS NEW VINTAGE
Perfect for a special celebration, this champagne is the ideal match for a seafood, shellfish or fish entrée. With an ideal serving temperature of 11°C, this cuvee surprises from the first sips with its incredible youthfulness and its crystal-clear, taut texture.
