Taittinger Brut Millésime Champagne 2012

95 points/'Cellar Selection,' Wine Enthusiast: "Made from equal parts Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, this still young Champagne is rich in the Taittinger style, with an elegant poise that is impressive. The wine, with its apricot and ripe apple fruit, is generously tempered by bright acidity and a crisp edge. Drink from 2021 Alcohol 12.5%. (Mar 2021)"

94 points James Suckling: "With appealing vibrant lemon cream and peach custard on the nose, chardonnay is really working its magic here. The palate has attractive grilled peach and lemon curd flavors, as well as grapefruit. Terrific smooth texture and a refreshing, lightly toasty finish. Superb drinking now. (10/4/17)"

93-94 points Essi Avellan, MW: "Medium-deep glossy lemon colour. Fragrant and soft ripe apple, lime and yellow plum nose with stunning toastiness pushing through. Very much on the Chardonnay side when it comes to the aromatics. This wine has evolved sublimely in the three years after release. Fruity, round, vigorous palate, still a bit tight and reserved, promising longevity. Soft, cushiony mousse and persistent length finishing off with fine touch of minerality and appetising sweetness. (Oct 2020)"

92 points Stephan Reinhardt (Wine Advocate): "Taittinger's 2012 Millésime Brut is a stainless steel-fermented blend of 50% Côte ded Blancs Chardonnay and 50% Montagne de Reims Pinot Noir bottled in 2013. It offers a clear and elegant, intensely aromatic and fruity bouquet of sweet cherries along with hazelnut and some incense flavors. It is a round, intense and well-structured yet fine Champagne with ripe and almost juicy fruit and a tight, still restrained finish. A bit sweet for my nordic taste, but this is a mouthful of Brut. Disgorged with nine grams of dosage in January 2017. Drink: 2018-2028. (11/30/17)"

92 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The 2012 Taittinger Brut Millésimé is composed of an unspecified blend of chardonnay and pinot noir (both the maison’s website and the technical sheets supplied with my samples fail to breakdown the percentages of the two grapes). The wine offers up a fine bouquet of apple, white peach, chalky soil tones, warm bread and a touch of upper register smokiness. On the palate the wine is bright, full-bodied and still very young, with a fine core, elegant mousse, brisk acids and fine backend mineral drive on the long, primary and promising finish. This has just been released and is still a puppy, but with some bottle age, it should prove to be an excellent vintage chez Taittinger. 2020-2050. (May/Jun 2017)"

92 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(50% pinot, 50% chardonnay). The understated nose is presently quite discreet though not completely inexpressive with its array of floral, brioche, Meyer lemon and plenty of yeast influence. The clean and very crisp medium weight flavors possess excellent punch thanks to the very firm and relatively fine supporting mousse, all wrapped in a markedly dry but not really austere finale. This is a wine of refinement yet it doesn't lack for verve and even power though it does need some bottle age to better develop the level of overall depth. Drink: 2022+. (Oct 2017)"

92 points Wine Spectator: "Ripe blackberry, pastry cream and lemon meringue notes are layered on the fine and creamy mousse in this lightly toasty, well-balanced Champagne. Bright and mouthwatering, with a sleek, spiced finish. Drink now through 2027. (2017)"

92 points Wine & Spirits: "This young vintage Champagne offers pale scents of caramel and salty-sweet lemon. Its zesty freshness will clean up after a fisherman’s platter of fried clams, cod and other creatures from the sea. (Dec 2017)"