With an annual production of 6.5 million bottles, Taittinger is the sixth largest Champagne house. It’s family owned (with help from Credit Agricole Bank) and run, and they have 712 acres of their own vineyards, enough to cover half their production, which is a big advantage in an age where there is fierce competition for grapes.

Here’s a report on a big vertical tasting of their Comtes de Champagne from 2011, with a profile of the house.

At TexSom I got a chance to taste through their range, including Comtes in both white and pink. These are my notes.

Champagne Taittinger NV France
The US agents thought this was base 2014 but weren’t sure. This is attractive, lemony and toasty with some herby hints and a bit of sweetness on the finish. There’s an ease to this wine, with taut fruit, some toastiness and fine spicy hints. 90/100

Champagne Taittinger Folies de la Marquettrie NV France
This is from estate-owned vineyards near to the Château. Base vintage here is 2013. Some richness on the mid-palate with toast, spice, lemons and pears. Fine and expressive with some brightness but also a rich core, with some savouriness. 91/100

Champagne Taittinger 2012 France
Juicy and vivid with some toasty richness as well as bright lemony notes. The palate has an appealing crystalline quality. Vivid and expressive with high acid nicely countered by some sweetness from the dosage. 92/100

Champagne Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2007 France
This is beautiful. Expressive toast and spice with some crystalline citrus fruits and nice precision. Toasty and expressive with great balance to the citrus, pear and peach fruit. Such a lovely wine, with layers of flavours. Serious but still accessible. 96/100

Champagne Taittinger Prestige Rosé NV France
Full pink/red in colour, this shows bright red cherries, some plums and nice brightness. Juicy, fresh and very pure. 90/100

Champagne Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Rosé 2006 France
Aged for 72 months on lees, this is a deep orange/pink in colour. It’s a rich wine with some toast, as well as good structure. Harmonious with notes of spice and red cherry as well as fine nutty notes. There’s a slight sweetness apparent on the finish. Lots of flavour here: an intriguing wine. 95/100

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