Taittinger Brut Réserve NV

Brut Réserve is a classic Non-Vintage, but from a very wellknown and prestigefull champagne producer. This champagne is made from 40% Chardonnay and 60% Pinot Noir/Pinot Meunier.
This is a charming Champagne that has a golden straw yellow color and small fine bubbles.
The scent is full of fruit, i.a. you sense aromas of peach and acacia.
The taste is dry, fresh and lively, with finesse and elegance at the same time.
It is a NV Champagne that should be enjoyed young and fresh and it does not gain from further aging.
Should be served at 8 - 10 C.
Is suitable for apéritif, or as an exciting companion to a light dinner.

A little about the house Taittinger:
Champagne house Taittinger was founded in 1734 and is thus the 3rd oldest still existing Champagne house.
Back then, the house was started under the name Forneaux.
In 1820 the Forneaux family merged with Antoine Forest. The collaboration was quickly very successful under the name Champagne Forest et Forneaux.
It was during this period that the headquarters were moved from the "Hôtel le Vergeur" ​​to the "Residence de Counts de Champagne". A building which the Taittinger family still owns and which gives its name to the house's top cuvée Champagne "Comtes de Champagne".
In 1932, Pierre Taittinger bought the Champagne house Forest et Fourneaux and their haunt "Residencen de Comtes de Champagne". Since there were no natural heirs to the Fornaux or Foreste family, Pierre chose in 1936 to rename the house to Taittinger, which is what it has been called ever since.
In 2005, Pierre-Emmanuelle Taittinger took over control of the house, which is why the house is the largest family-owned Champagne house today.
Today, the Taittinger family owns over 288 hectares of vineyards in 34 different villages and can cover 45% of their grape consumption themselves.
This ensures a steady supply of top quality grapes for the production of delicate, well-balanced Champagnes.
Taittinger's cellars are located under St. Nicaise monastery, which in the 13th century belonged to Benedictine monks. The monks used the cellars to store their wines.
These cellars are all that remains of the abbey, as it was destroyed during the French Revolution.
Today, as mentioned, the cellars are used by Taittinger, and here they have a total capacity of approx. 22 million bottles.
For hundreds of years, the Champagne houses have produced Champagne that was heavy after years of aging and dominated in taste by Pinot grapes.
The Taittinger family helped develop a Champagne that was lighter in style and more approachable.

Comments from a tasting:

"Great finesse and elegance, persistence of bubbles. This is assembled from 35 crus and 40% Chardonnay, so while not a Blanc de Blancs (all white wine grapes, that is Chardonnay), this bubbly still has the elegance of that style. Pair with shellfish, especially fresh oysters."

93/100

Natalie MacLean, NatalieMacLean.com, 10. June 2022

Product information

Size: 0,75 L 
Grapes: 40% Chardonnay, 60% Pinot Noir/Pinot Meunier
Dosage: Brut
Notes: fresh green apple, citrus fruit, freshly baked bread,
ABV: 12.5% Vol.
Made in: France, Champagne
Produced by: Taittinger, France
Including: champagne
Condition: Brand new, (may have minor imperfections from shipping)
Other information: contains sulfites