93

Antonio Galloni

Vinous

Taittinger fans will want to stock away at least a few bottles of the 2005 Comtes de Champagne, if nothing else to satisfy the urge while some of the more important recent vintages continue to age in the cellar. The 2005 is immediate, deep and nicely textured, with overt fruit and fewer of the intense floral, mineral-driven notes that are typical. The first signs of aromatic development appear to off on the horizon by a few years, but at the same time, I don't expect the 2005 to be one of the more long-lived vintages here. Comtes de Champagne remains the best value in grand marque Tête de Cuvée Champagne. 11/2014

93

Neal Martin

Vinous

Taittinger’s 2005 Comtes de Champagne was a perfect way to commence proceedings. Orchard fruit and hints of brioche on the seductive nose are joined by a hint of lemon verbena filtering through with time. The palate is beautifully balanced, perhaps not as riveting as a recently tasted 2008, yet underpinned by a fine bead of acidity and exuding harmony on the apricot-tinged finish. This is drinking perfectly now but should give 15-20 years of drinking pleasure. 03/2022

96

Richard Juhlin

Richard Juhlin

A really wonderful Comtes from the start. As usual, one manages to succed very well especially warm, slightly low on oxygen vintages, as the neighbors' wines often appear as flat and publicly single-tracked. Although the acidity is not particularly marked here, the aromatic citrus fresh touches of the vineyards manage to leave a fresh uplifting side to the creamy fatty caressing. The ending is certainly chalky and elegant, but it rises to heavenly heights with a 76-like buttercream soft warm sweet enveloping taste pillow. Magnum is still undeveloped and crisp. 06/2024

92

Stephan Reinhardt

Robert Parker/Wine Advocate

The 2005 Comtes de Champagne has a beautifully composed nose that is extremely cool, mineral and precise and attracts with highly elegant and discreet bright and fresh fruit aromas (white apples, lemons, grapefruits) along with chalk and hazelnut flavors and nougat. Full-bodied, lovely, pure and quite complex on the palate, this is a fresh, buoyant and firmly structured Comtesse with a persistent minerality and an impressive clarity and freshness. It is quite reduced at the moment and lacks, perhaps, complexity but there is a touch of sweetness and a good chance for further development. 11/2014

95

Jeb Dunnuck

Jeb Dunnuck

The 2005 Champagne Blanc de Blancs Comtes De Champagne is a deep, rich, full-bodied beauty that packs serious amounts of fruit and texture, while never seeming heavy or rustic. Loaded with notions of orchards fruits, toast, caramelized citrus and distinct minerality, it has a broad, expansive, yet fine mousse, beautiful mid-palate depth and a great, great finish. It’s well worth seeking out. 12/2017