Taittinger Comtes De Champagne 2005 (750ML)

97 DE / 95 WE / 95 JD / 94 WS / 94 VM / 93 WA / 17+ JR

A truly wonderful wine from the start but slow to develop in the glass this time. As usual, Taittinger succeeds very well in warm, acid-weak vintages, when neighbors' wines often appears flat and simplistic. Despite the fact that the acidity is not particularly accentuated here either, the vineyards' aromatic citrus fresh touch leaves a fresh, uplifting side to the creamy, fat smoothness. The finish is certainly chalky and elegant , but it raises to heavenly heights with a 1976-like butterscotch soft, warm sweet flavored embracing pillow. -Decanter

With just a touch of bottle age giving a toasty character, this impressive wine is already showing some maturity. That said, the apple and citrus character, the mineral tight texture and crisp acidity promise some aging. The wine conveys a sense of elegance, intensity and richness. Drink now, but the wine will also age. - Wine Enthusiast

The 2005 Comtes de Champagne is a deep, rich, full-bodied beauty that packs serious amounts of fruit and texture, while never seeming heavy or rustic. Loaded with notions of orchards fruits, toast, caramelized citrus and distinct minerality, it has a broad, expansive, yet fine mousse, beautiful mid-palate depth and a great, great finish. It’s well worth seeking out. _ Jeb Dunnuck

Shows lovely balance, with a chinalike backbone of acidity, finely meshed with a creamy mousse and rich and toasty flavors of roasted hazelnut, creamed apple, lemon parfait and spun honey. A vein of smoky minerality echoes on the finish. -Wine Spectator

Bright yellow. Vibrant pear and melon aromas are complicated by suggestions of ginger, brioche and smoky minerals. Dry, smoky and precise, offering intense orchard and pit fruit flavors that gain weight with aeration. A dusty mineral quality adds focus and lift to the long, penetrating, floral finish. There's a Burgundian thing going on here that's quite intriguing. L3293UF08500. - Josh Raynolds, Vinous Media

The Taittinger 2005 Brut Comtes de Champagne leads with a maritime aromatic amalgam of salinity and alkalinity, behind which emerge candied grapefruit rind and white peach, all anticipating the flavors that dominate on a strikingly succulent and mouth-filling yet buoyant palate. Candied ginger, marzipan, and fresh lime add to the zesty invigoration of a finish whose pronouncedly marine character serves to open my salivary glands’ floodgates. As with their other cuvees, buoyancy is here allied to a judicious and supportive hint of sweetness. This ought to be worth following for several years, though on no account should it be overlooked in its present condition. - David Schildknecht, Wine Advocate

Very fine bead. Very tight and some dried spices on the nose. Rich and nervy. Dry finish. Already starting to come out and beguile. Tighter knit than the vintage 2005 in magnum. Not yet ready. - Jancis Robinson