98

Antonio Galloni

Vinous

The 2008 Comtes de Champagne is every bit as stunning as it has always been. The first signs of aromatic complexity are starting to appear, while there is a bit less of the youthful austerity that was present at the outset. It will be interesting to see how the 2018 continues to develop. It is certainly not the austere, bracing Champagne it was a few years ago. Hints of apricot, slate, mint, crushed rocks and light tropical accents build into the salivating finish. 11/2022

97

Richard Juhlin

Richard Juhlin

I can’t remember being more impressed with a newly released Comtes than this time. Possibly, my first meeting with the 76? and the 05? was largely identical experiences. That is not to say that I am sure that the future will give us one of the grandest Comtes vintages with this edition. Here is a part that is so seductively open and ripe that the warning signals must be switched on. Still, I hope and believe that, like so many previous editions, this is a wine that combines the two theoretically almost impossible qualities, direct charm with great storage. I will return after the next meeting with this delicious piece. That meeting was much more restrained with a classic acidic backbone and ageworthy structure. 06/2024

98

William Kelley

Robert Parker/Wine Advocate

Taittinger's 2008 Brut Blanc de Blancs Comtes de Champagne is being released this year, and it will be worth a special effort to track down. I wrote in August 2019 that this is the finest Comtes de Champagne since the brilliant 2002, and this tasting confirmed that. Offering up a deep and complex bouquet of citrus oil, crisp orchard fruit, warm brioche, crushed chalk, blanched almonds and smoke, it's full-bodied and incisive, with excellent concentration, racy acids and a long, searingly chalky finish. While this is already immensely impressive out of the gates, this 2008 is clearly built for the long haul, and three decades' longevity won't be a challenge. 09/2020

100

James Suckling

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. 07/2022