2008 Taittinger

Taittinger’s 2008 Brut Millesimé is a powerful, bold wine. The intensity of the year has been tempered by lovely mid-palate depth and what feels like dosage that is on the higher end of the spectrum, which means Taittinger’s 2008 is more accessible now than many other 2008. Dried pear, brioche, honey, mint, chamomile and wild flowers blossom into the creamy, inviting finish. There is a lot to like. Although not especially complex, the 2008 should drink well for the next decade or so. And the 2008 Comtes? Well, it is shaping up to be epic.

The 2008 Brut Millésime is a 50/50 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with a large percentage of Grand Cru and Premier Cru origins. Fresh and subtle on the pure and mineral nose with its sweet cherry aromas, this is a lean, straight, pure and elegant cuvée with mineral complexity, tension and a persistent finish. An exciting mineral and also fruity 2008 that balances the vintage's acidity with a full body.

Taittinger's complexity is apparent here on the nose of this complex, rich and deeply powerful vintage Champagne. Flinty struck match reduction, toasty yeasty notes and bright lemon-infused citrus notes are all bursting from the glass amid savory, chalky minerals. The palate has a bold lemon citrus and peach fruit flavor to it, really saline, minerally and contained. Some glossy brulée-like notes to close. Drink now up to five years. Jul 2015, www.JamesSuckling.com, Drink:2015-2020