David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Well...this was one hell of a week. There is only one way to wind it down. Reach for an excellent bottle of vintage Champagne.

My first thoughts are how delicate this is on the palate. Further, how unbelievable it will be with another 8-10 years in bottle.

The nose shows; slightly sour lemon, the good parts of lemon Pledge, lemon meringue, white stone fruits, pineapple fresh with lots of juice, grapefruit, lime pulp, honeysuckle, soft, haunting caramel, brioche, limestone & slightly, dirty, grey volcanics, saline, sea fossils, sea spray, bread dough, vanilla, white spices-light ginger with spring flowers, mixed floral greens & lilies.

The body is light on its feet and dances on the palate. Delicacy abounds. Its soft, gorgeous mousse right there with the best money can buy. Slightly sour lemon, lemon meringue, green & with more bruised golden apple, white stone fruits, pineapple fresh with lots of juice, grapefruit, lime pulp, touch of apple cider, honeysuckle, soft, haunting caramel, ginger ale into cream soda, brioche, nougat, toffee notes, lighter nuts without skin, limestone & slightly, dirty, grey volcanics, saline, sea fossils, sea spray, bread dough, vanillin, marzipan, white spices-light ginger with spring flowers, mixed floral greens & lilies. The acidity is mellow yet lively, gorgeous and as good as it gets. The finish is all luxury. So well knitted & balanced, elegant, rich but not overpowering and gently persisting several minutes.

Photos of; The House of Taittinger, their caves so chalky white and built on the famous Crayères Cellars of Reims: 2.5 miles of tunnels (they own 1/4 to 1/3 of it) cut out of chalk by the Romans, the portrait of Thibaud IV who was a king, lord, manager, singer, conqueror, explorer & 11th century Crusader all rolled into one from which, this Cuvée was the catalyst creation and part of the 600 plus hectares they own in Champange.

Some producer notes; Taittinger's history can be traced back to 1734, when it was originally known as Forest-Fourneaux, founded by Jacques Fourneaux who worked closely with local Benedictine monks to learn how to produce wine. They were just the 3rd Champange house.

The estate was bought by the Taittingers – a family of wine merchants – in 1932, and thanks to the great depression and subsequent low land prices, the family also picked up huge swathes of vineyard. From 1945-1960, Francois Taittinger established the cellars in the Abbey of Saint-Nicaise, and after his death in 1960 his brother Claude took over, pushing the estate into a Champagne house of world renown. Such was the status of the label that the Taittinger family soon expanded its business into other luxury goods. However, this eventually led to financial difficulties, and in 2005 the Taittinger brand – including the Champagne house – was sold to the American owned Starwood Hotel Group. The sale was badly received by the Champagne industry, with many fearing the new owners – unfamiliar with the culture of Champagne – would put profit ahead of quality.

Just one year later, Claude’s nephew, Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger, who had always been opposed to the sale, negotiated a €660m deal with the Starwood Group, and the Taittinger family resumed ownership of the company.

In 2017, Taittinger planted its first vines in England, near a village in Kent, for its venture into English sparkling wine. The first bottle will be ready in 2023.

1/8/21 — 3 years ago

Antonio Gianola

9.1

Fantastic wine and value. Great to have this just before the Puligny — 9 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

Impenetrable Colour - dense deep Ruby - opaque. Black fruits of blackberry and plums verging on pruney on the nose. A full bodied palate - rich and fleshy needing more complexity which will come with bottle age. Winery says drink to 2030. Try the next one in a few years. This winery on Kangaroo Island is owned by Jacques Lurton (Cheval Blanc and other wineries in South America). The winemaker is Yale Norris who is from Colorado. I think I incorrectly said Canadian in a previous note. Barb and I had a private tour of The Islander with Yale back in 2016. These grapes are fermented in upright square concrete vats where he does several pump overs of the skins - then matured for almost 2 years in French Oak in the next size up from a Barrique. At $35 great value for the time and effort that goes into this boutique production. Sadly ravaged in the bush fires earlier this year. Tasted another bottle 31 weeks later on December 30, 2020, with consistent notes - certain persistent tannins - went well with Porterhouse steaks at Paros. The BBQ worked a treat. Tasted a bottle 90 weeks later on 12th February 2022 with consistent notes. Balanced, full bodied and excellent. Went well with Home made meatballs - made by daughter Georgie home from Copenhagen after 3 years. — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Lemon in colour. Another stunningly good Semillon and non Hunter Valley @Ceccherini Cristiano from Kangaroo Island of all places which was recently badly damaged by bushfires. The Islander is owned by Jacques Lurton and family of Cheval Blanc, other right bank wineries and wineries around the world. This wine was more Bordeaux Blanc than Hunter Valley in style with perfectly judged oak giving the wine a rich texture and excellent mouthfeel. Peachy ripe fruit which is unusual for a Semillon. A stunner. — 4 years ago

Fredrik Andersen

9.1

Kathinkas bursdag — 8 years ago

with Anne Kathinka

Bob McDonald

9.5

Mid to Deep Crimson in colour. Aromas of menthol, tobacco and ash notes together with black tea and after an hour in the decanter- violets. Not often one has a Cabernet Franc of this quality made in Australia. Made at The Islander on Kangaroo Island which is owned by Jacques Lurton and family, owner of Chateau Cheval Blanc so they know a bit about Cab Franc!! Jancis Robinson describes Cheval Blanc as “the world’s grandest Cabernet Franc dominated wine” Visited The Islander there 4 years ago and had a tour with the Colorado winemaker. A semi-maritime climate - very dry so that a limited need for pesticides. In summary a very polished wine and the best Cab Franc I’ve had outside the Right Bank or Loire Valley. — 4 years ago

Aidan McNamara

9.0

Drinking the 2015 Limited Edition. — 7 years ago

Ibsen Santos

10

Wooooooo!!!! NYC you spoil me — 8 years ago

Monika Elling

9.0

What is it?? Label does not say. ??? — 9 years ago

De Pedro

9.0

Especial para carne, con cuerpo. — 9 years ago