{"product_id":"taittinger-2007-comtes-de-champagne-blanc-de-blancs-brut-750ml","title":"Taittinger 2007 Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut 750ml","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"_chunkWrapper_6ta1u_30\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_chunkWrapper_6ta1u_30\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eSince Taittinger created Comtes de Champagne in 1952, only thirty-five vintages have ever earned the right to carry the name. That is not a marketing figure — it is the literal count of years in more than seven decades that the house has judged worthy of its most exceptional cuvée, a decision made purely by tasting the still base wines before any commitment to production is made. 2007 became one of those thirty-five. The growing season that produced it was long, cold, and damp, with grapes reaching harvest — an unusually early one, in late August — at the very threshold of ripeness. That kind of marginal ripening season can go either way for Chardonnay; here, it produced a Comtes of genuine restraint and precision rather than the more demonstrative richness of vintages like 2006 or 2012.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eThe wine is, as ever, composed entirely of Chardonnay from the same five Grand Cru villages that have defined Comtes since its creation: Avize and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger providing structure and finesse, Chouilly contributing body, and smaller proportions from Cramant and Oger rounding out the blend. Only the first, gentlest pressing is used. The wine ferments almost entirely in stainless steel, with roughly 5% aged briefly in new oak, before resting for a full decade in the Gallo-Roman chalk quarries beneath Saint-Nicaise Hill — chalk galleries originally carved in the fourth century, later serving as the cellars of a medieval abbey, eighteen metres below Reims.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eJames Suckling awarded 98 Points at release — scoring it, at the time, higher than any previous Comtes vintage he had reviewed, including the celebrated 2006. Quill \u0026amp; Pad rated it 96 Points, calling it \"now and set to improve over the next 20 years,\" with a bouquet of pear, mocha, and dried flowers mingled with cacao nib, and \"a touch of smoky reduction that is more overt in this rendition\" than in the vintages that followed it. On the palate: medium-bodied, elegant, and taut, with a crystalline core of fruit, pinpoint mousse, incisive acids, and a precise, long, chalky finish — \"a middleweight, more lightly structured Comtes,\" in the words of one reviewer, \"one that may stir a certain nostalgia for the Comtes of bygone years.\" K\u0026amp;L's Gary Westby, in a separate tasting, went further still, comparing the 2007's limey drive directly to Puligny-Montrachet — the kind of comparison that only the most serious white Burgundy deserves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigins \u0026amp; Craftsmanship\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eComtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs was created in 1952 — Taittinger's answer to the question of what the ultimate expression of the house style could be, made only in years the winemaking team judges worthy through blind tasting of the still base wines. In the more than seventy years since, only thirty-five vintages have ever been released, with 2007 counting among them. Easily recognizable by its distinctive squat bottle, Comtes de Champagne carries a genuine claim to cultural significance as well: in the early years of the Bond film franchise, it was reputedly James Bond's favorite Champagne, an association that helped cement blanc de blancs Champagne's reputation in the American market as the pinnacle of the category.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eThe wine is composed entirely of Chardonnay sourced from five Grand Cru villages on the Côte des Blancs: Avize and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, which form the structural core of the cuvée, alongside Chouilly, Cramant, and Oger. Much of the fruit comes from vineyards the Taittinger family owns directly, ensuring continuity of quality and style across vintages. Only the first, gentlest pressing — the cuvée — is used; harsher, later pressings are excluded entirely. Fermentation takes place almost entirely in stainless steel, with a small proportion, roughly 5%, aged briefly in new oak barrels to add subtle body and depth without oxidative character. The wine then rests for a decade on its lees, eighteen metres below Reims in Gallo-Roman chalk quarries first carved in the fourth century and later used as the cellars of the Saint-Nicaise abbey — cellars that are today part of why the houses and cellars of Champagne carry UNESCO World Heritage status. The 2007 was disgorged in 2017, with a dosage of nine grams per litre.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCritics Reviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJames Suckling — 98 Points:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eScored higher at release than any previous Comtes de Champagne vintage Suckling had reviewed to that point, including the acclaimed 2006.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuill \u0026amp; Pad — 96 Points:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Now and set to improve over the next 20 years.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWine.com \/ Neal Martin, house tasting note:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Disgorged in 2017 with a dosage of nine grams per liter, it reveals a bouquet of pear, mocha and dried flowers mingled with cacao nib, and there's a touch of smoky reduction that is more overt in this rendition than in the 2012–2014 trio. On the palate, it is medium-bodied, elegant and taut, with a crystalline core of fruit, pinpoint mousse, incisive acids and a precise, long, chalky finish. Less demonstrative than both the 2006 and 2012 editions, this is a middleweight, more lightly structured Comtes — one that may stir a certain nostalgia for the Comtes of bygone years.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWine.com (extended, alternate tasting):\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"That typical Chardonnay color is there in all its sparkling, golden glory with shimmers of green coating the constant stream of fine, delicate bubbles. It has a fine and delicate nose which combines white blossom and a certain minerality with general overtones of Anjou light pear and golden raisins. Subtle hints of aniseed and smoky flavors follow this suggestion of fruit. The taste is vibrant, with a combination of lemon and saltiness. This is immediately followed by a sensation of complex, yet mellow freshness creating the perfect balance between ripeness and a full-rounded flavor. It is rounded off by a long-lasting, crisp finish with hints of salted butter. This elegant wine lives up to its reputation with its freshness, strength, minerality and mellow fruitiness.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eK\u0026amp;L Wines \/ Gary Westby:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\"Looking back at my notes on the excellent and very well-priced 2007 Taittinger 'Comtes de Champagne', I had compared that vintage to Puligny-Montrachet because of its limey drive.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCellarTracker community — 93 points average (434 reviews)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJancis Robinson:\u003c\/strong\u003e Reviewed among Taittinger's family-owned house Champagne portfolio.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTasting Profile\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNose\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSparkling golden color with shimmers of green, coating a constant stream of fine, delicate bubbles. A fine and delicate nose combines white blossom and minerality with overtones of Anjou pear and golden raisins. Pear, mocha, and dried flowers mingle with cacao nib — a more overt touch of smoky reduction than found in the vintages that followed. Subtle hints of aniseed and smoke thread through the fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePalate\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMedium-bodied, elegant, and taut — a crystalline core of fruit carried by pinpoint mousse and incisive acids. Vibrant, with a combination of lemon and saltiness giving way to complex, mellow freshness that finds the perfect balance between ripeness and full-rounded flavor. Less demonstrative and more lightly structured than the more powerful 2006 or 2012 vintages — a middleweight, precise expression with genuine limey drive reminiscent of fine Puligny-Montrachet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLong-lasting, crisp, and precise, with hints of salted butter and a chalky, mineral close. Freshness, strength, and mellow fruitiness carry through a finish built for decades of continued development — Quill \u0026amp; Pad specifically noted this vintage as \"set to improve over the next 20 years.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"overflow-x-auto w-full px-2 mb-6\"\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"min-w-full border-collapse text-sm leading-[1.7] whitespace-normal\"\u003e\n\u003cthead class=\"text-left\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\" class=\"text-text-100 border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.6)] py-2 pr-4 align-top font-bold\"\u003eCategory\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth scope=\"col\" class=\"text-text-100 border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.6)] py-2 pr-4 align-top font-bold\"\u003eDetails\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAppellation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eChampagne AOC — Côte des Blancs, France\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStyle\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003ePrestige Cuvée Blanc de Blancs Brut\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVintage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e2007\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eMaison Taittinger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVariety\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e100% Chardonnay\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSource Villages\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eAvize · Le Mesnil-sur-Oger · Chouilly · Cramant · Oger (all Grand Cru)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCuvée History\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eCreated 1952 — only 35 vintages ever released as of this release\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePressing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eFirst press (cuvée) only\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFermentation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eAlmost entirely stainless steel + ~5% new oak\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLees Aging\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e10 years — 4th-century Gallo-Roman chalk cellars, Saint-Nicaise Hill\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDosage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e9 g\/L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDisgorgement\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e2017\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e2007 Vintage\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eLong, cold, damp growing season · early late-August harvest at threshold of ripeness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCritics\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eJames Suckling 98 · Quill \u0026amp; Pad 96 · CellarTracker community 93\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical Note\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eComtes de Champagne was reputedly James Bond's favorite Champagne in the early Bond films\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStyle \/ Identity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eElegant, taut, middleweight Comtes — precise and mineral rather than demonstrative\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAromas \u0026amp; Flavors\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003ePear, mocha, dried flowers, cacao nib, smoky reduction, white blossom, golden raisin, lemon, salted butter\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDrinking Window\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003eNow through 2035+\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBottle Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd class=\"border-b-0.5 border-[hsl(var(--border-300)\/0.3)] py-2 pr-4 align-top\"\u003e750ml\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"border-border-200 border-t-0.5 my-3 mx-1.5\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFood Pairings\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eSeafood, shellfish, and fish entrées\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eSushi and delicate raw preparations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eSoft, creamy cheeses\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"font-claude-response-body whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eAperitif, on its own\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"RNDC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43934569234498,"sku":null,"price":300.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0363\/8621\/files\/Taittinger_2007_Comtes_de_Champagne_Blanc_de_Blancs_Brut_750ml.jpg?v=1783317329","url":"https:\/\/www.blackwellswines.com\/products\/taittinger-2007-comtes-de-champagne-blanc-de-blancs-brut-750ml","provider":"Blackwell's Wines \u0026 Spirits","version":"1.0","type":"link"}