Taittinger - Champagner Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2004

ANTONIO GALLONI: "I am thrilled with the way the 2004 Comtes de Champagne continues to evolve in bottle. A few years ago, the 2004 was quite focused and linear, in the style of the vintage, but more recently, the wine has begun to fill out beautifully. The 2004 remains bright, with a full range of citrus, white flower and mineral nuances that dance on the palate. A brisk, saline-infused finish rounds things out beautifully in a Comtes that impresses for its crystalline purity. I expect the 2004 will always remain a bit cool next to the more opulent 2002, but it is still drop-dead gorgeous."

DECANTER: "It was a dry vintage up to August, which turned exceptionally wet and cool. September saved the vintage with the ideal weather conditions - low rainfall and cool nights. The graceful nose opens to white flowers, ripe apricot and citrus hints. It is tense and refined, with a vivid mineral core balanced by pristine acidity and some toasted notes on the finish. It's not the most expressive today, but wait for it to awaken. This is built for cellaring. Drinking Window 2025 - 2040"

FALSTAFF: "Helles Gelb mit Goldreflexen, feines, anhaltendes Mousseux. Feine Nuancen von Zitruszesten, weißer Apfel, mit angenehmen Brioche- und Röstaromen unterlegt. Stoffig, zart nussiger Touch, extraktsüßer gelber Apfeltouch, zarte Karamellnuancen im Kern, finessenreich strukturiert, zart nach Mandeln, ein Hauch von Grapefruitzesten, mineralisch im Abgang, lange anhaltend, ein harmonischer Speisenbegleiter."

JANCIS ROBINSON: "Tasted blind. Putty and lively, very much more concentrated nose than its pair (the 2002). Sweet with crème pâtissière on the palate. Dancing. Lemon posset. Flattering. More beguiling than its pair. Blind, this seemed more likely to have been the 2002."

THE WINEADVOCATE: "It’s fascinating to taste the 2004 Brut Blanc de Blancs Comtes de Champagne after the 2002, something I have been able to do on a few occasions. The 2004 is all about minerality, precision and tension. It doesn’t have the sheer richness or power of the 2002, but it makes up for that with its crystalline purity and sheer energy. Bright hints of lemon oil, white flowers and crushed rocks are layered into the pointed, vibrant finish. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2034."

WINESPECTATOR: "A rich and enticing aroma of roasted hazelnut heralds this elegant blanc de blancs, with flavors of pastry, poached apple, crystallized honey and candied ginger riding the finely detailed mousse. This is a touch smoky, presenting a resonant minerality on the finish. Drink now through 2029."