TAITTINGER Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut 2008 Bottle

Description

Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2008 is a monumental vintage for this prestigious house. Produced exclusively from 100% Chardonnay grapes sourced from the finest Grands Crus of the Côte des Blancs, it represents the height of elegance. The 2008 growing season, characterised by a cool and dry summer, has yielded a wine of incredible tension and longevity.

The nose reveals a complex array of white blossoms, toasted brioche, and crystallised lemon, underpinned by a chalky minerality. On the palate, the wine is energetic and crystalline, showing a perfect balance between its vibrant acidity and creamy texture. With a fine, persistent effervescence and a long, saline finish, this 2008 bottling is an iconic champagne destined to evolve beautifully for many decades.

JAMES SUCKLING 100 points/100
The perfect blanc de blancs. Full-bodied with a lovely framework of acidity and dry fruit, such as apples, pears and peaches. Opulent. Dense and muscular. Yet, it’s balanced and harmonious. Line of acidity at the end. Totally in tune. Superb. Deep and complete. Has everything. One for the cellar. It is the greatest Comte ever. It has everything. A perfect upgrade from two years ago. Drink or hold.

THE WINE ADVOCATE 98 points/100
Drink Date 2021 - 2048
"Taittinger's 2008 Brut Blanc de Blancs Comtes de Champagne is being released this year, and it will be worth a special effort to track down. I wrote in August 2019 that this is the finest Comtes de Champagne since the brilliant 2002, and this tasting confirmed that. Offering up a deep and complex bouquet of citrus oil, crisp orchard fruit, warm brioche, crushed chalk, blanched almonds and smoke, it's full-bodied and incisive, with excellent concentration, racy acids and a long, searingly chalky finish. While this is already immensely impressive out of the gates, this 2008 is clearly built for the long haul, and three decades' longevity won't be a challenge." - William Kelley, 2020.

VINOUS 98 points/100
Drinking window: 2022 - 2048
The 2008 Comtes de Champagne is every bit as stunning as it has always been. The first signs of aromatic complexity are starting to appear, while there is a bit less of the youthful austerity that was present at the outset. It will be interesting to see how the 2018 continues to develop. It is certainly not the austere, bracing Champagne it was a few years ago. Hints of apricot, slate, mint, crushed rocks and light tropical accents build into the salivating finish.
Antonio Galloni. Tasting date: November 2022

DECANTER 98 points/100
Tasted by: Charles Curtis MW (at New York, 05 Jan 2022)
Drinking Window: 2022 - 2050
After a cool, rainy spring and unsettled flowering, the weather in 2008 cleared in time to deliver a large crop of ripe, balanced grapes with lovely balancing acidity. The Comtes from 2008 is a fantastic success, with aromas of ripe pear, peach, bergamot and chamomile. There is a luxe style to the rich, creamy texture with its gentle yet persistent mousse. The fresh acidity and a subtle, pleasant bitterness bring balance and impressive length to the wine.

WINE ENTHUSIAST 97 points/100
Coming entirely from Grand Cru vineyards in the Côte des Blancs, the new release of this famous Champagne is from a top vintage year. The wine is at perfect maturity, poised between crisp, taut minerality and wonderful toastiness. It is intense, beautifully clear and limpid, a great Champagne. It is ready to drink now and for many years to come. — Roger Voss