1996 Taittinger Brut Comtés de Champagne Blanc de Blancs
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Tasting notes
Tighter on the nose than the luxurious 1995. Intriguing mushroom/mineral character more evident than biscuity autolysis. The acidity stands out in comparison – a linear, racy style which is probably more for the cognoscenti. Intense, just on the right side of the acidity being excessive. No danger of this falling over, but I wonder how long it will take to soften. (AWH)
Critic scores
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
Vinous readers are well aware of how much I like Taittinger’s Comtes de Champagne. The 1996 is in a perfect place right now, where it has mellowed nicely in middle age, while retaining plenty of energy. I am not sure it is going to improve meaningfully however, so I would be thinking about drinking any remaining bottles over the next decade or so.
Deep straw. Very hedonistic development on the nose. And the intrinsic richness of this cuvée nicely overcomes the high acid of 1996. Broad and flattering. A little chewy and stolid. Robust rather than fine texture. (JR)
About the producer
Champagne Taittinger is one of the region’s leading Grande Marque Champagne houses and also one of the largest, when it comes to vineyard ownership. It is also the producer behind one of the region’s best loved vintage Blanc de Blancs: Comtes de Champagne.