Taittinger Brut

Pale green yellow with silver reflections and a persistent, fine mousse. Bouquet underpinned with a fine nougat touch, some brioche, white peach and marzipan. Fine yellow apple, fine structure, medium complexity, mineral and vinous, very versatile, lemon finish.

Taittinger has 288 hectares of vineyards across Champagne, giving it a wealth of grapes to work with yearly. The multi-vintage blend is usually a 40/45/15 mix of chardonnay, pinot noir, and pinot meunier. The high percentage of chardonnay is the key to its finesse and legendary elegant house style, which sets Taittinger apart from most of the competition at this level. The nose opens with a whiff of smoke and toast over a rush of lemon and white flowers. The current edition pitches a slightly more complex palate, adding to its charm. The bead of bubbles is exquisite, and the creamy, chalky, leesy notes go on and on. This is an impressive brut Champagne you can buy with confidence.