Champagne, FrancePrélude Grands Crus Cuvée is a 50/50 mix of chardonnay/pinot noir that Taittinger selects from top Grands Crus vineyards. Produced with only first press juice, it has the finesse and structure to age effortlessly. On the palate, this is a fuller, more luxurious version of Taittinger, aged for 60+ months on lees and bottled with less than 10 grams of sugar at dosage. The attack is dense with creamy, buttery brioche dusted with toasted nuts, all held in check by Taittinger’s signature bead of acidity. Serious value. This is an excellent choice for decadent seafood dishes like lobster or smoked salmon.Tasted: 24 October 2023Tasted by: Prices:
Champagne, FranceInitially made mid-90's in mags, with an eye towards the Millennium, Prélude proved such a popular concept, that it became a part of the regular portfolio in 2004/2005. This is a rich, full, and powerful Grand Cru NV Brut of Montagne de Reims pinot noir (Ambonnay and Aÿ), and Côte des Blancs chardonnay (Avize and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger). After a stainless ferment, with full MLF, this spent more than 5 years on the lees, and was dosed with 9 g/L. It's always a single vintage (this one 2016), though that doesn't show on the label. Quite powerful, doughy and structural, with great lemon bones filled out with green and red apple, toast, and biscuit, finishing with a salted meringue. Impressive. Think of this as a baby Comtes.Tasted: 24 October 2023Tasted by: Prices:
Champagne, FranceThis fuller, more luxurious version of Taittinger is equal parts Grand Cru pinot noir (Montagne de Reims) and Grand Cru chardonnay (Côte des Blancs), aged for 60+ months on lees and bottled with less than 10 grams of sugar at dosage. The attack is dense with creamy, buttery brioche notes mix with a whiff of toasted nuts before a floral, spicy undercurrent kicks in. It is one complex sparkling wine with impressive lees, all held in check by Taittinger’s signature bead of acidity. I love the value offered here between the Brut Reserve and Vintage Taittinger. Most seafood, and the richer, the better, will work here.Tasted: 24 September 2019Tasted by: Prices:
Champagne, FranceTaittinger Prélude is a rich, full and powerful Grand Cru NV Brut of Montagne de Reims pinot noir, and Côte des Blancs chardonnay. This spent more than 5 years on the lees, and was dosed with 9 g/l. The power starts with first sniff: potent and dense strawberry, cherry brioche, raspberry and toast fill a voluminous palate, lofted with hallmark tight, Taittinger acidity, and finishing with lingering smoked spices. Expansive and deep on the full palate, but kept tight and riveting with acidity, this is a memorable and rich champagne, ready for partnering with equally rich and special dishes.Tasted: 09 November 2019Tasted by: Prices:
Champagne, FranceThis richer, riper, doughier Taittinger is equal parts Grand Cru pinot noir (Montagne de Reims) and Grand Cru chardonnay (Côte des Blancs), aged for five+ years on the lees, and with a 9 g/l dosage. This utilizes 2 or 3 villages each for the GC pinot (Ambonnay, Maiy with northern exposure, and Verzenay) and chard (Avize and Le Mesnil and some parts of Chouilly). Powerful, with ample minerality, light smoked stone, kisses of flint and light toasty notes, lingering with lemon. This is powerful, but streamlined, with a lovely streak of acidity to match heft. Regal. My bottle was disgorged in December 2017, and this is from the 2012 vintage.Tasted: 15 October 2018Tasted by: Prices:
Champagne, FranceThis richer, riper, doughier Taittinger is equal parts Grand Cru pinot noir (Montagne de Reims) and Grand Cru chardonnay (Côte des Blancs), aged for five+ years on the lees, and with a 9 g/l dosage. Dense and rich, with toasted brioche, almond biscotti, lemon zest, big spice, and an echo of elderflower on the finish. Ample autolysis here, but held with a girdle of lemon acidity that draws this out to a lingering finish. Impressive. Quail, cream-dressed mushrooms would be an ideal match to this powerful wine.Tasted: 09 December 2017Tasted by: Prices:
Champagne, FranceA 50/50 blend of chardonnay/ pinot noir from the Côte des Blancs and Montagne de Reims respectively. The wine spends 60 months in its lees before release. The nose is fresh with mineral floral oyster shell notes. The attack is rich and weight with peachy, baked pear, honey and tasted ripe cherry notes. The finish is crisp and slightly sweet with citrus rind undercurrent. Try this with a favourite pâté. Unusual style but still with finesse.Tasted: 10 December 2015Tasted by: Prices:
Champagne, FranceAn equal split of pinot noir and chardonnay aged for 5+ years on the lees makes up Prélude, a rich, heady and creamy blend that rings elderflowers, white peach and pear blossoms. Dough and ripe white peach carry the dense palate, one thankfully lifted with a crease of citrus acidity. A developed, richer style that would well suit a duck pâté.Tasted: 10 December 2015Tasted by: Prices:
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