Taittinger : Comtes de Champagne Rosé 2013

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for Taittinger's Comtes de Champagne Rosé 2013

Tasting Notes

Appearance
The colour reveals a luminous salmon-pink hue with coppery highlights, showcasing a fine, creamy and persistent effervescence.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet opens with notes of grapefruit, wild raspberry and iodine. With aeration, it reveals a fine complexity with touches of honey, blood orange, salted bread and hazelnut.

Palate
Structured and taut, the palate is underpinned by lovely acidity. The silky texture, carried by a delicate mousse, balances mineral freshness with fruity density. The finish is long and lingering, marked by nuances of ginger, liquorice and a mineral salinity.

Food and Wine Pairing

This wine pairs beautifully with seafood such as oysters, lobster or scallops, as well as with fish like grilled mackerel served with roasted cauliflower. It also complements white meats, roasted poultry or pigeon, as well as characterful matured cheeses such as Pont l'Évêque, Maroilles or an aged Comté.

Serving and Cellaring

With remarkable ageing potential, this Comtes de Champagne Rosé 2013 can be enjoyed now or cellared for consumption until around 2033.

The balance and refined expression of a rosé champagne

The Estate

Founded in 1734 under the name Forest-Fourneaux, the House entered its modern era in 1932 when Pierre Taittinger acquired the Château de la Marquetterie. Based in Reims, France, this Champagne house is today led by President Vitalie Taittinger and her brother Clovis. Independent and family-owned, the Taittinger estate stands out for its commitment to preserving its historical heritage, notably its chalk cellars, and for a philosophy that combines tradition with respect for the environment to produce wines of great precision.

The Vineyard

The estate spans 288 hectares across 37 plots throughout the terroirs of the Champagne region. The vines used for this cuvée come from five Grand Cru-classified villages in the Côte des Blancs for the Chardonnay, grown on chalky soils that ensure excellent drainage. The Pinot Noir comes from old vines in the Montagne de Reims, where deeper chalk allows for optimal rooting. The vineyard is managed according to sustainable practices, certified Haute Valeur Environnementale and Viticulture Durable en Champagne.

The Vintage

2013 began with a cold, snowy winter, followed by a late, cool and rainy spring that delayed the vines' growth cycle by about two weeks. From mid-April, weather conditions changed dramatically, giving way to warm, dry and sunny weather. July and August saw remarkable sunshine, allowing the grapes to make up for lost time. Light rains in early September aided final ripening ahead of a late harvest that began on 1 October.

Winemaking and Ageing

The making of the Comtes de Champagne Rosé 2013 involves extended ageing of over ten years in bottle within the historic chalk cellars of Saint-Nicaise. Five percent of the blend undergoes three to four months of ageing in new oak barrels, a third of which are renewed each year. In addition, a portion of the Pinot Noir is vinified as red wine with an extended pre-fermentation maceration to develop structure and aromas.

Grape Varieties

Pinot Noir (70%, including 12% red wine from Bouzy)
Chardonnay (30%)