Brut Millésimé

Taittinger Brut Millésimé 2005, offered here in magnum format. This is a vintage Champagne from one of the long-established houses of Reims, blending Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the classic style. The appellation of Champagne is entitled AOC/AOP status, and vintage cuvées such as this are declared only in years considered of sufficient quality to carry a single harvest date.

The 2005 vintage in Champagne was a mixed and demanding growing season, and houses were selective about what they bottled under a vintage label. Mature vintage Champagne of this type is typically drier and more savoury than non-vintage releases, with the autolytic character that develops through extended time on the lees. A blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the region tends to balance freshness and structure, and bottles of this age will usually show tertiary development rather than primary fruit.

The magnum is a favoured format for both cellaring and the table, as the larger volume relative to the amount of air in the bottle generally allows for slower, more even ageing. As with any mature sparkling wine, condition and storage are the key variables, so attention to fill level and cork is worthwhile. Serve well chilled but not ice cold, around 8 to 10 degrees, to allow the aromatics to show. At EUR 200.00 for a 1.5L bottle, the price reflects a named vintage Champagne from a recognised house in a sought-after large format, and sits reasonably for a bottle now carrying close to two decades of age.