95 points Tyson Stelzer (The Champagne Guide): "(tasted in 2022 in Australia; base vintage 2016; disgorged January 2021; cork). Boasting a pale, bright straw hue, this is a Prélude that unites tension with impressive depth, concentration and drive. Its grand cru mandate is on grand display in a wonderful juxtaposition of fruit depth and structural confidence of pronounced, fine chalk mineral texture. A panoply of fruit spans everything from the tension of lemon and grapefruit to the crunch of beurre bosc pear and apple, the succulence of white peach, the tang of strawberries and the exoticism of fig. Time has brought brioche and almond nougat, softening its mineral definition with creamy mouth feel. Exacting line and length confirm another outstanding Prélude. (Edition VII; 2024)"
94 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "This particular bottle of Taittinger “Prélude” was the current release back in July of 2017, when it was placed in my cellar for further aging. This would probably push it back to the base year of either 2010 or 2012, depending on if it was given the full sixty months on its fine lees as is customary with this wine. Based on how the wine showed, I am betting that this is from the fine base year of 2012. It is drinking splendidly at the moment, offering up a bright and complex bouquet of pear, white peach, chalky soil tones, brioche, dried flowers and a lovely, smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and precise, with a lovely girdle of acidity, refined mousse, excellent depth at the core, fine soil inflection and a long, seamlessly balanced and complex finish. First class juice. 2024-2055. (May/Jun 2024)"
94 points James Suckling: "An elegant and mineral Champagne that has aromas of biscuit, dried apple, honeycomb, chalk and lemon curd. It's silky and refined on the palate. Rounded, supple and seamless finish. 50% chardonnay and 50% pinot noir. 100% grand cru. Based on 2017 vintage. Drink now or hold. (8/6/24)"
94 points Peter Moser (Falstaff): "Light golden yellow, silver reflections; fine, persistent mousse. White flowers on the nose followed by fresh mango, white apple, a hint of blossom honey, brioche in the background. Complex, fine fruit expression, delicate pear, balanced, well-integrated, vivid acid structure, elegant and juicy. A multi-faceted food wine, shows class and length, lively finish. (11/19/20)"
94 points Bettanne & Desseauve (2022).
93 points Audrey Frick (JebDunnuck.com): "Equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the NV Champagne Grand Crus Prelude Brut is based on the 2017 vintage and comes from the villages of Ambonnay and Bouzy for the Pinot Noir and Mesnil-sur-Oger and Chouilly for the Chardonnay. The same release that I tasted last year, it’s developing nicely and harmonizing, with aromas of toasted almond, lemon custard, ripe orchard fruit, and fresh chalky earth. Filling the palate, it’s full-bodied and powerful, with a driving texture of citrus oils and a long, savory, mineral-toned finish. It displays a nice balance between its ripe fruit and its mineral tone. Drink 2023-2033. 9 grams per liter of dosage. Drink: 2023-2033. (11/17/23)"
93 points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): "The latest release of Taittinger's NV Brut Prélude Grands Crus is showing nicely, offering up aromas of pear, crisp stone fruit, warm biscuits and marzipan. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and precise, with tangy acids and fine depth at the core, this is still a little reserved after what I suspect is quite a recent disgorgement, and it will merit a little patience. Drink: 2022-2037. (Sep 2021)"
92 points Tom Hewson (Decanter): "Vintage quality, with five years of ageing on lees. Clean and impeccably-shaped, the latest release of Prélude combines intense lemon oil and fleshy peach Chardonnay with sweet strawberry Pinot, crystal-clear and long, rounded out by creamy-textured almond richness and showing promise for further ageing. A hidden gem in the Taittinger portfolio. 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Chardonnay grands crus. Drinking Window: 2023-2033. (10/31/23)"
94 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "This particular bottle of Taittinger “Prélude” was the current release back in July of 2017, when it was placed in my cellar for further aging. This would probably push it back to the base year of either 2010 or 2012, depending on if it was given the full sixty months on its fine lees as is customary with this wine. Based on how the wine showed, I am betting that this is from the fine base year of 2012. It is drinking splendidly at the moment, offering up a bright and complex bouquet of pear, white peach, chalky soil tones, brioche, dried flowers and a lovely, smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and precise, with a lovely girdle of acidity, refined mousse, excellent depth at the core, fine soil inflection and a long, seamlessly balanced and complex finish. First class juice. 2024-2055. (May/Jun 2024)"
94 points James Suckling: "An elegant and mineral Champagne that has aromas of biscuit, dried apple, honeycomb, chalk and lemon curd. It's silky and refined on the palate. Rounded, supple and seamless finish. 50% chardonnay and 50% pinot noir. 100% grand cru. Based on 2017 vintage. Drink now or hold. (8/6/24)"
94 points Peter Moser (Falstaff): "Light golden yellow, silver reflections; fine, persistent mousse. White flowers on the nose followed by fresh mango, white apple, a hint of blossom honey, brioche in the background. Complex, fine fruit expression, delicate pear, balanced, well-integrated, vivid acid structure, elegant and juicy. A multi-faceted food wine, shows class and length, lively finish. (11/19/20)"
94 points Bettanne & Desseauve (2022).
93 points Audrey Frick (JebDunnuck.com): "Equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the NV Champagne Grand Crus Prelude Brut is based on the 2017 vintage and comes from the villages of Ambonnay and Bouzy for the Pinot Noir and Mesnil-sur-Oger and Chouilly for the Chardonnay. The same release that I tasted last year, it’s developing nicely and harmonizing, with aromas of toasted almond, lemon custard, ripe orchard fruit, and fresh chalky earth. Filling the palate, it’s full-bodied and powerful, with a driving texture of citrus oils and a long, savory, mineral-toned finish. It displays a nice balance between its ripe fruit and its mineral tone. Drink 2023-2033. 9 grams per liter of dosage. Drink: 2023-2033. (11/17/23)"
93 points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): "The latest release of Taittinger's NV Brut Prélude Grands Crus is showing nicely, offering up aromas of pear, crisp stone fruit, warm biscuits and marzipan. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and precise, with tangy acids and fine depth at the core, this is still a little reserved after what I suspect is quite a recent disgorgement, and it will merit a little patience. Drink: 2022-2037. (Sep 2021)"
92 points Tom Hewson (Decanter): "Vintage quality, with five years of ageing on lees. Clean and impeccably-shaped, the latest release of Prélude combines intense lemon oil and fleshy peach Chardonnay with sweet strawberry Pinot, crystal-clear and long, rounded out by creamy-textured almond richness and showing promise for further ageing. A hidden gem in the Taittinger portfolio. 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Chardonnay grands crus. Drinking Window: 2023-2033. (10/31/23)"
| Product SKU | 341059 |
| Producer | Taittinger |
| Country | France |
| Region | Champagne |
| Varietal | Champagne / Sparkling Blend |
| Designation | Brut|Grand Cru |
| Vintage | NV |
| Size | 750ml |
| Color | White |
| Blend | 50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir |
| ABV | 12.5% |
| Ships To |
