Taittinger Brut Millesime 2002

Taittinger Brut Millésimé is produced from select Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes grown in vineyards in several of the finest microclimates of the Champagne region. It is produced only in vintage years when the harvest yields fruit of excellence equal to Taittinger's rigorous standards of quality.

Champagne Taittinger's extensive holdings, third in importance among those of the great champagne houses, total 752 acres of vineyards in the finest growing areas of Champagne, and allow the house to rely predominantly on its own grapes to maintain the consistent superiority of this cuvée.

Insofar as its grapes are of a single vintage, the creation of Taittinger Brut Millésimé requires the greatest skills of the blender's art. It frequently entails the selection of a wider range of cuvées than a non-vintage quality which may benefit from the addition of reserve wines of prior vintages.

The foundation and consistency of the distinctive Taittinger style relies greatly on the proportion of each grape variety in the blend: Pinot Noir lends the finished blend body, vinosity, structure and power as well as the elegant red berry aromas typical of the variety; Chardonnay contributes elegance, finesse, crispness and delicacy to the blend, as well as a degree of structure and longevity.

"Bright gold with a fine bead. Smoky, powerfully scented bouquet displays lemon custard, buttery brioche and dried flowers. A spicy, focused midweight, offering juicy pear and mineral flavors and a late note of bitter lemon zest." 91 Points
International Wine Cellar

"It has flavors of dried fruits, apricots and pear and a texture that fills the mouth with a tight, mineral character. Impressive." 95 Points
Wine Enthusiast