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2013 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs
2013 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs OC6
HK$1198 per bottle (HK$7188/ case) – only 4 cases (6) available.
The Taittinger house has a long-standing reputation for excellence, and the Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs is a testament to their dedication to quality and craftsmanship. This exquisite Champagne is made entirely from Chardonnay grapes, sourced from five of the most esteemed Grand Cruvineyards in the Côte des Blancs region: Avize, Cramant, Chouilly, Mesnil-sur-Oger, and Oger. Each vineyard contributes its unique terroir, resulting in a wine that is both complex and harmonious.
Introduced in 1952, the Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs was created to honor the historical Counts of Champagne, particularly Thibaud IV. Known as Thibaud the Singer, he was a Count of Champagne and King of Navarre in the 13th century. His legacy is honored with every bottle, as his seal adorns the label. Thibaud IV is credited with reintroducing the Damask rose and a grape variety believed to be an ancestor of Chardonnay during the Crusades, weaving history and tradition into every sip of this remarkable cuvée
This Champagne undergoes a minimum aging of 10 years in the historic chalk quarries of Saint-Nicaise in Reims, which date back to the 13th century. These unique conditions contribute to the wine's remarkable character. The 2013 vintage is particularly noteworthy, as a slow ripening process led to one of the latest harvests in October, resulting in grapes with exceptional concentration and complexity. This slow maturation process has resulted in a wine that is not only enjoyable now but also possesses the potential to age gracefully over the years, making it a perfect addition to your cellar.
Upon opening a bottle of the 2013 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs, you will be greeted by an expressive and captivating nose. Aromas of tropical mango, passion fruit, baked green apple, lemon curd, and buttery toast intertwine, inviting you to experience its richness. The palate is equally impressive, showcasing a medium-bodied texture that is both creamy and vibrant. The balance of toasty brioche notes and lively acidity creates a delightful complexity that lingers long after the last sip.
This Champagne is perfect for any occasion, whether you are celebrating a special moment, hosting a gathering, or simply treating yourself to something extraordinary. It pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes, from seafood and poultry to creamy cheeses and light desserts, enhancing your dining experience.
99 points James Suckling
Fantastic complexity here with aromas of toast, biscuit, lemon, almond, chalk and some fennel. It's long, sleek and mineral, with tight, very fine bubbles and so much tension and precision. Very long and chalky finish. Disgorged end of 2023. Drink or hold
98 points Wine Enthusiast
This beautiful Chardonnay from five top Grand Cru vineyards is textured with fruit that is still impressively perfumed. Its concentration has allowed it to remain perennially young. Although there are hints of toastiness, the Champagne has many more years of potential.
96 points Wine Advocate
The 2013 Brut Blanc de Blancs Comtes de Champagne's bouquet is compellingly fresh and minty, revealing aromas of white fruit—notably pear and apple—marzipan and sweet spices, as well as a light touch of citrus mingled with classy autolytic notes. On the palate, this is a structured, tensile and ethereal Champagne with high acidity—a sign of a classic vintage—animated by a mousse of striking finesse and delicacy. Although already enjoyable, it should develop well for several decades.
96 points Decanter
Cool and a little inscrutable on release, but the composed and expected clarity of flavour is all there: green mandarin, dried apple, white peach and croissant dough, sitting tightly wrapped with a touch of iodine and subtle char. A beautifully serene texture and gliding mousse deliver length, detail and quiet intensity. Patience is required for the initial sweet citrus to subside into something more complex, but when it does this shows signs of being a classic. 100% Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs grand cru villages, with 5% oak fermentation.
NV Champagne de Sousa 3A Extra Brut Ay Avize Ambonnay
The history of Champagne De Sousabegins several generations ago when Manuel De Sousa, a soldier from Braga, Portugal, came to France to fight with the Allied army during World War I. He went back to Portugal after the war was over. But economic times were so tough at home that he decided to return to France with his wife and newborn son, eventually settling in Avize. Manuel's son Antoine later married Zoémie Bonville, the daughter of grape growers in Avize. So was the beginning of De Sousa estate, since 1986 Antoine's son, Erick de Sousa has been the man in-charge of the operation.
As Champagne critic, Peter Liem once commented; ‘It’s no accident that De Sousa is found in many of France’s best restaurants'...indeed it was at a restaurant that I was first introduced to this estate. The De Sousa family (of Portuguese descent) have been in Avize for three generations and the house of De Sousa & Fils was founded in 1986 by Erick and Michelle.
Conversion to organic methods began in 1989, just three years after Erick took over from his father. Yields from these old vineyards are incredibly low. In 1999, de Sousa began farming his land biodynamically, lowering yields even further. Three quarters of the De Sousa vines are over 45 years of age. Some are 65 and 75 years old. The vineyards are plowed with a horse to help prevent the soils from becoming compact and to promote healthy insect life underground. Because of this labor-intensive work with the soils, the vines often descend up to 10 or 12 meters. These deep roots extract salts and trace minerals like potassium and magnesium from the chalk. This gives additional minerality to the champagnes. 3A exemplifies the qualities associated with De Sousa. 50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir from the 3 grand cru towns that begin with “A” - Ambonnay, Ay, Avize, with 3 reserve wines that are aged 3 years on their lees and given a 3-gram dosage. Manual harvest with its vinification 50 % in tank and 50% in oak barrel. Average 20% reserve wine used in the final blend and with dosage at 5 gr/L.
NV Champagne de Sousa 3A Extra Brut Ay Avize Ambonnay OC6 HK$630/bt – 60 bts available
92points Wine Advocate
NV Extra-Brut 3A Ay Avize Ambonnay is very pretty, offering up aromas of citrus oil, fresh bread, crisp stone fruit and beeswax. Full-bodied, broad shouldered and incisive, it's concentrated and vinous, with a racy spine of acidity and a pretty pinpoint mousse. This vibrant Champagne is one of the more tightly wound cuvées in the range, and it will show even better after a few more years on cork. .
