Taittinger Comtes de Champagne, Blanc de Blancs Brut, 2013
Taittinger Comtes de Champagne, Blanc de Blancs Brut, 2013
- 75cl
- 12.5%
- White Sparkling
- Chardonnay
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Optimal drinking window: Now - 2046
Taittinger of course needs little introduction. Their dedication to excellence extends to every aspect of winemaking. From the hand-harvested grapes to the artful blending process and extended ageing in the cellars, each step is a testament to their pursuit of perfection. Taittinger's commitment to crafting exceptional Champagnes has earned them a place among the world's most respected wine producers.
“We will never produce a large quantity of Comtes de Champagne because the technical characteristics we require so that this cuvée can be a very great wine are essentially unique in Champagne and very financially demanding. A triumphant blend of force and elegance, the Comtes de Champagne displays an eternal youth that it derives from the greatest Chardonnay of our province. Connoisseurs will appreciate it."
Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger
The 2013 is currently showing vibrant primary fruit character balanced with developing complexity from extended lees ageing. Over the next 3-5 years, we expect the citrus intensity to integrate further whilst secondary notes of brioche, honey, and hazelnut emerge more prominently. The wine should reach a beautiful plateau around 2030-2035, where fruit and development achieve perfect balance. Given the vintage's natural acidity and Taittinger's exceptional winemaking, this Champagne should maintain its elegance and mineral drive well into the 2040s, with the finest bottles drinking beautifully for two decades or more.
What the critics say:
"The 2013 Comtes de Champagne captures all the pedigree of this great vintage in its energy, depth and vibrancy. Lemon confit, dried flowers, chamomile, spice and crushed rocks all race across the palate. Passionfruit, ginger, marzipan and mint appear later, filling out the layers beautifully. Harvest took place in October in what has become the exception rather than the norm in Champagne."
"Nervy and tight with notes of crushed almonds, chalk, white grapefruit, digestive biscuits, lemons and apricot stones. Hints of fennel and white pepper. Deep and mineral, with plenty of power. Very fine bubbles. Long drive at the end. Try after 2024."
Tasting Notes
AppearancePale gold with a persistent, fine mousse and elegant bead.
NoseLemon confit and white grapefruit leap from the glass, followed by chamomile, dried flowers, and a distinctive crushed rock minerality. Deeper notes of marzipan and digestive biscuits emerge with air, along with subtle hints of fennel and white pepper.
PalateNervy and intense with remarkable energy, showing crushed almonds, chalk, and citrus zest across a powerful yet refined frame. The mousse is exceptionally fine, carrying flavours of passionfruit, ginger, and mint through the mid-palate. Apricot stones and spice build towards the finish, revealing the wine's impressive depth.
FinishExtraordinarily long and mineral-driven, with waves of citrus and chalk that seem to go on forever.
Overall impressionA Champagne of remarkable pedigree that perfectly captures the energy and depth of the 2013 vintage.
Food Pairings
In Champagne, this would traditionally accompany the region's famous andouillette sausages or the local specialty of pike quenelles with crayfish sauce. The wine's mineral intensity pairs beautifully with Chaource cheese, made just south in neighbouring Burgundy, whilst its citrus energy cuts through the richness of escargots de Champagne cooked in local Ratafia. During harvest time, vignerons might enjoy it with simple terrines and crusty bread, letting the wine's purity shine alongside uncomplicated, high-quality ingredients.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve well-chilled at 6-8°C in tulip-shaped flutes or white wine glasses to showcase the complex aromatics. No decanting required, but do give it a few minutes in the glass to reveal its full range of flavours. Open just before serving to preserve the fine mousse, and store any remaining wine with a proper Champagne stopper for up to 24 hours. The wine's intensity rewards slower sipping to appreciate its remarkable length and development.
Comtes de Champagne sources from Taittinger's finest Chardonnay sites across the Côte des Blancs, particularly the grand cru villages of Avize, Cramant, and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. These vineyards sit on pure chalk soils that provide exceptional drainage whilst retaining moisture, creating the mineral backbone that defines great blanc de blancs. The 2013 vintage benefited from a late October harvest, allowing the Chardonnay to achieve perfect ripeness whilst maintaining the natural acidity essential for long ageing.
Champagne AOC represents the pinnacle of sparkling wine production, with strict rules governing everything from grape varieties to pressing methods and ageing requirements. Only three grapes are permitted: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, with blanc de blancs like this using exclusively Chardonnay. The traditional method of secondary fermentation in bottle, combined with extended lees ageing, creates Champagne's distinctive character and complexity. Comtes de Champagne exceeds even these demanding standards, representing Champagne at its most refined.
The 2013 vintage caught Champagne in a properly challenging mood. A cold, wet spring delayed budbreak well into May, followed by a summer that couldn't quite decide what it wanted to be — patchy sunshine punctuated by rain that had growers muttering into their morning coffee. Come harvest time in October, the latest picking dates in years meant racing against autumn's chill to gather fruit that had ripened slowly and unevenly across the region.
What emerged from this meteorological muddle was a vintage of surprising charm, though admittedly not one for the history books. The extended hang time gave the grapes a lovely mineral tension, particularly in the Chardonnay, while Pinot Noir struggled more with the conditions but still delivered decent colour and structure. Most houses declared a vintage, albeit in modest quantities, and we find these wines drinking rather well now — they've got that bright, food-friendly acidity that makes you reach for another glass, even if they lack the depth for long cellaring. Drink until 2028.
FAQs
What does Comtes de Champagne 2013 taste like?
It's all about energy and elegance, with intense lemon confit, crushed almonds, and chalk minerality building to an extraordinarily long finish. Think powerful yet refined, with the crackling intensity that made 2013 such a legendary vintage.
When should I drink this Champagne?
Perfect now through 2046. It's already showing beautifully but built for the long haul, so whether you open it tonight or cellar it for a decade or more, you'll be rewarded.
What food pairs well with this wine?
Its mineral intensity loves oysters, lobster, or turbot, whilst the citrus energy cuts through rich dishes like foie gras or aged Comté cheese. We also think it's brilliant with sushi or simply on its own as an aperitif.
How should I serve Comtes de Champagne?
Well-chilled at 6-8°C in proper flutes or white wine glasses. No need to decant, just give it a moment to open up in the glass and savour slowly to appreciate that remarkable length.
Is this worth cellaring?
Absolutely. The 2013 vintage's natural acidity and Taittinger's meticulous winemaking mean this will develop beautifully for 15+ years, gaining complexity whilst maintaining that essential Champagne elegance.
What makes Comtes de Champagne special?
It's Taittinger's ultimate expression of Champagne Chardonnay, sourcing from their finest sites across the Côte des Blancs. They deliberately limit production to maintain exacting standards, creating what Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger calls 'a triumphant blend of force and elegance'.
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