Taittinger’s prestige cuvée, Comtes de Champagne, is produced only in exceptional vintages and is a pure expression of the house’s Chardonnay-driven style. The 1999 Blanc de Blancs is a vintage Champagne made exclusively from Grand Cru Chardonnay grapes sourced from the Côte des Blancs (primarily Avize, Cramant, Chouilly, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, and Oger). A small portion (around 5%) is aged in new oak barrels for complexity. It undergoes full malolactic fermentation, extended lees aging (typically 8+ years), and is known for its finesse, mineral drive, citrus and stone fruit notes, toasted brioche, nuttiness, and aging potential. It starts elegant and fresh, developing richer, honeyed, and autolytic character with time.
The 1999 vintage had higher-than-normal temperatures with more rainfall, leading to a wine with good fruitiness, balance, and sweetness on the nose alongside freshness
Critics Reviews (selected scores and notes):
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James Suckling: 95 points — “Gorgeous apple, cream and sliced pineapple character. Full and fresh and bright.”
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Wine Enthusiast: 96 points — Intensely Chardonnay; pure mineral, green and citrus fruits, steely with elegance.
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Robert Parker / Wine Advocate (via sources): Around 95 points.
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Other notes: Often 92–95 across critics (e.g., Decanter, Galloni). Praised for balance, finesse, toasted notes, citrus, minerality, and maturity. Needs decanting/opening ahead for best expression.
Average critic score is typically in the low-to-mid 90s.
Food Pairings:
Classic pairings for this elegant, mineral-driven Blanc de Blancs include:
- Shellfish, crab, lobster, oysters, and other seafood.
- Sushi/sashimi, scallops.
- Poultry (e.g., roasted chicken with herbs/lemon).
- Creamy or umami-rich dishes; toasted brioche and nutty notes complement richer fare.
Drink Window:
- The 1999 is mature and drinking beautifully now, with peak enjoyment likely through the late 2020s to 2030s+ depending on storage (magnums often excel). It has shown well for years and continues to develop honeyed, toasty, and complex notes while retaining freshness. Open 1–2 hours ahead if possible.
