Taittinger Brut Blanc de Blancs Comtes de Champagne 2008

100 points / 'Top 100 Wine of 2019 (#17),' James Suckling: "The perfect blanc de blancs. Full-bodied with a lovely framework of acidity and dry fruit, such as apples, pears and peaches. Opulent. Dense and muscular. Yet, it’s balanced and harmonious. Line of acidity at the end. Totally in tune. Superb. Deep and complete. Has everything. One for the cellar. It is the greatest Comte ever. It has everything. A perfect upgrade from two years ago. Drink or hold. (5/5/21)"

99 points Tyson Stelzer (The Champagne Guide): "(tasted in 2023 in France; 100% chardonnay; 50-60% Avize and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, the pillars of Comtes, for structure & finesse, then Chouilly for body & strength, Oger and a little less than 10% Cramant; Fermented in stainless steel tanks; Malolactic complete; 5–6% (Chouilly component) aged (not fermented) in young oak barrels (1/3 new & 2/3 up to 4 years old) for 4–5 months, not for strength, but to add body & subtle notes of toast, brioche, burnt vanilla & coconut to the delicacy of chardonnay; 9g/L dosage). Brilliance meets grand richness and presence, with magnificent concentration and brilliantly focused 2008 acidity. The juxtaposition here between citrus tension, the grilled toast and butter of a touch of oak, the biscuity world of bottle age and the cascading spectacle of chalk minerality is a mesmerising display. (Edition VII; 2024)"

98+ points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "Taittinger’s 2008 Blanc de Blancs Comtes de Champagne is simply breathtaking. I have tasted it many times over the years in various trial disgorgements and it has never been anything less than compelling. The final, finished wine captures all of that potential. Bright, focused and wonderfully deep, Comtes is a fabulous example of a vintage that expresses so much energy but with real fruit intensity, the signatures that distinguish it from other vintages (1996 comes to mind) that were similarly taut, but more austere in the early going. Although the 2008 impresses right out of the gate, it only really starts to open up with several hours of air. The 2008 Comtes represents the purest essence of the Côtes des Blancs in a great, historic vintage. Readers who can find the 2008 should not hesitate, as it is a truly brilliant epic Champagne that no one who loves the very best in Champagne will want to be without. Drink: 2023-2048. (Aug 2020)"

98 points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): "This bottle of Taittinger's eagerly anticipated 2008 Brut Blanc de Blancs Comtes de Champagne had been disgorged in July 2018, and the wine is showing brilliantly, unfurling in the glass with a vivid bouquet of citrus oil, green apple, warm brioche, crushed chalk and blanched almonds. On the palate, it's full-bodied and searingly intense, with striking concentration and incisive but perfectly integrated acids, displaying a fine mousse, and remaining quintessentially elegant despite its undeniable power and persistence. The finest Comtes de Champagne since the brilliant 2002, this is a terrific vintage for this dependably age-worthy cuvée, and though it's already impressive, the wine is built for the long haul: conserved in a cold cellar, the 2008 will still be in fine form three decades from now. Drink: 2020-2055. (Aug 2019)"

98 points Jasper Morris, MW (Inside Burgundy): "It is a champagne that I have tasted several times since 2013, before being officially released early in 2021. It has been interesting to follow as it has developed on its lees; the earliest iteration was buried under a mountain of fruit esters and acidity while slowly revealing itself over the years with successive trial disgorgements. An utterly thrilling Champagne. Full of taut energy that delivers immediacy and potential at the same time. The autolytic fatness is slowly receding, revealing a wine precision and depth—aromas of pear and preserved lemons dominate the bouquet, although a delicate toastiness is building. Impeccably balanced, the complexity is endless; each successive sniff of the glass reveals yet another dimension of this incredible Champagne. Did I mention the extraordinary length? It is a legend and the best Comtes de Champagne I have ever tasted (going back to the early 1960's). Drink from 2023-2050. Tasted: 25-Dec-22. (Dec 2023)" -Steve Pritchard

98 points James Halliday (Wine Companion): "From the great '08 vintage, 100% grands crus blanc de blancs. It's the favourite champagne of Australian winemakers. A scintillating blend of citrus and white peach wrapped in strands of almond, brioche and mineral notes, the length and freshness of the finish and aftertaste phenomenal. (Nov 2020)"

98 points Peter Moser (Falstaff): "Medium golden yellow, silver reflections, fine, persistent mousse. Ripe yellow apple fruit, nuances of pears, but also white flowers and zest in the bouquet, underlaid with fine yeast nuances and cookie. Very juicy, extract-sweet and creamy in texture, supported by a taut acid backbone that ensures appropriate length, fine blossom honey in the finish, dark minerality in the aftertaste, great potential for maturity and further improvement. (Nov 2018)"

98 points Bettane & Desseauve Guide (2022).

96-98 points Essi Avellan, MW: "Pale shiny lemon colour. The first nose is radiantly fruity with gorgeous gunpowdery toastiness lingering on top of the zingy lemon, lime, peach and grass notes. Refined and elegantly restrained. The palate is linear and precise with long, juicy length lining the purely fruity and luxuriously creamy mouthfeel. Remarkable purity and finesse on this racey and mineral, slowly evolving, still super youthful Comtes packed with energy and tension. (Nov 2020)"

97 points/'Cellar Selection,' Wine Enthusiast: "Coming entirely from Grand Cru vineyards in the Côte des Blancs, the new release of this famous Champagne is from a top vintage year. The wine is at perfect maturity, poised between crisp, taut minerality and wonderful toastiness. It is intense, beautifully clear and limpid, a great Champagne. It is ready to drink now and for many years to come. Alcohol 12.5%. (Mar 2021)"

96 points Decanter: "Wonderful, intriguing nose with ripe orchard fruits of conference pear and pink lady apples, seasoned with brioche and roasted cashew nuts. It's rich on the palate with lovely layers of citrussy, silky tones and a touch of honey. Drink 2022-2045."