The 2013 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Grands Crus Blanc De Blancs vintage was a late bloomer and was one of the last to be harvested in October of that year.
After a particularly long and cold winter, spring was long overdue. In mid-April, an exceptionally warm, dry, and bright summer began, with over 800 hours of sunshine—unheard of in Champagne! The grapes developed with strength and vigor. A few light rains in early September also helped the bunches grow and ripen.
Les Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs is distinguished by its unique composition of Chardonnays, sourced from the famous Côtes des Blancs villages classified as "Grands Crus": Avize, Chouilly, Cramant, Mesnil-sur-Oger and Oger. This unique and rare terroir extends over a narrow strip of land barely 20 kilometers long. Thousands of years of chalk present on its surface provide the site with a natural reservoir of water and heat, creating ideal conditions for the white grapes to flourish. It is from these terroirs that the grapes draw their minerals, strength and aromas.
In the production of Comtes de Champagne, only the finest "cuvées" are selected, reflecting an absolute requirement for finesse. Of the wines that make up this exceptional champagne, 5% are aged for 4 months in oak barrels, a third of which are renewed annually. They powerfully enhance the character of the toasted notes in the final blend.
Time has played its part during the 10 years of slow maturation in the cellar, allowing this vintage to reveal extraordinary vivacity and aging potential. All that remains is for it to write its story. Synonymous with extraordinary moments, the opening of this 2013 vintage lives up to all its promises. The sensory experience, both visual and gustatory, is unique! Clear with a beautiful bright yellow glow with some slight golden highlights; the bubble mousse is delicate, fine, and lively.
This vintage seduces with its precision, density, and aromas blended with ripe citrus and aromatic notes of pastry. Its nose transports us to a refreshing world. Opening gently, it naturally reveals vibrant aromas and texture supported by delicate acidity.
On the palate, the wine vibrates quickly and the bubbles are revealed, providing a sensation of vitality. The finish is firm, leaving a marked imprint of notes of ginger and licorice. Naturally delicate, this Comtes de Champagne Vintage 2013 deploys its energy with dynamism and aromas of striking purity, thus magnificently revealing the saline and mineral simplicity of the great terroirs of the Côte des Blancs.
A true reminder of time, the beautiful intensity of Comtes de Champagne 2013 suggests all the aging potential expected of such a vintage. This champagne has a beautiful structure, demonstrating for this 2013 year a beautiful maturity and a rare intensity.
Until its peak, it has benefited from a series of attentive care, and the criteria chosen for its development effectively exclude mass production. Ideal for exceptional celebrations, this champagne pairs well with starters based on seafood, premium shellfish, or fish. Ideally served at 11°, this vintage seduces from the first sip with its incredibly youthful taste and its crystalline, taut texture.
About a white of whites champagne
A blanc de blancs champagne is a sparkling wine produced exclusively with white grapes, usually Chardonnay. This term is primarily used to refer to a type of champagne distinguished by its greenish-gold color, freshness, and aromas of white flowers. Chardonnay is the dominant grape variety in the Côte des Blancs region, south of Épernay, where it thrives on limestone soils. Other white grape varieties, such as Petit Meslier, Arbane, or Pinot Blanc, can also be used in the composition of a blanc de blancs champagne, but they are rarer. Blanc de blancs champagne is often considered the aperitif champagne, but it can also pair well with fine, seafood-flavored dishes, such as lobster or oysters. It gains in roundness and creaminess over time.
About white Chardonnay
Chardonnay is a white grape variety native to Burgundy, France. It is used to produce dry, aromatic, and elegant white wines, as well as sparkling wines such as Champagne. Chardonnay is one of the most widely cultivated grape varieties in the world, as it adapts to different climates and terroirs. It can express a variety of aromas depending on growing conditions and winemaking techniques, ranging from citrus, white-fleshed fruits, flowers, honey, butter, hazelnut, vanilla, toast, and oak. Chardonnay is often aged in oak barrels, which gives it complexity and roundness. It pairs well with seafood, fish, poultry, hard cheeses, or dishes with sauces.
Ema Lynnx
