NV Taittinger Prelude Grand Cru Champagne

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Nobody’s leaving the Taittinger house! Unlike other brands, this icon is still run by the original family that founded the iconic brand after World War I. Now, the 5th generation is working side by side to make sure the best and brightest Champagnes on the market don’t dry up. Toasty and rich from five years of aging, 50% Chardonnay keeps the acidity and minerality alive in this bottle. Pear, lemon, and cream flavors emerge on the palate, and the finish is crisp and bright. Celebration season is right around the corner, so don’t miss this bottle! (And we won’t tell if you drink it on casual weeknights too!)

About the wine

If you’re looking for an exciting pick-me-up, this Champagne is it. A 50/50 blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Taittinger’s Prelude is sourced completely from Grand Cru vineyards and then aged meticulously for five years before release. From across Ambonnay, Mesnil sur Oger, Avize, and Bougy Prelude is an impressive blend of top crus that create flavor and power on the palate. The results are in on this blend, and it’s an absolute winner scoring 92+ points from EVERY major critic! On the nose, Prelude is elegant and citrusy, with hints of fresh pastry and cream. On the palate, the flavors expand to include fresh green pear, hints of red berries, and cinnamon spice. Time and attention clearly paid off in spades for the Taittinger family, who still completely control the winemaking at their namesake estate. Fantastic acidity and extended lees contact mean this Champagne will develop beautifully for years to come, but we doubt it’ll last in our cellar! Prelude isn’t produced every year, so skip the comparison shopping and get your hands on this limited release today!


Vineyards: Several Grand Crus
Cooperage: Aged 5 Years on the Lees in bottle
ABV: 12.3%

Reviews

Made from only Grand Cru vineyards, this ripe, full and wonderfully textured wine is rich and complex. It brings out tangy orange and lemon zest, a tightly mineral texture, fragrant fruit and acidity. Dense and concentrated, the wine would benefit from some bottle age to bring out all its flavors.  - 94 WE

The NV Brut Prélude Grands Crus has a very clear, complex and fresh yet intense bouquet, currently with more Pinot and walnut/macadamia flavors rather than Chardonnay flavors. Almond biscuits and fine brioche aromas come through only on the second nose. Bottled in 2012, this should be based on the 2011 vintage. It is a full-bodied, fine and elegant but also very complex and persistent Prélude that was sourced in only grand cru vineyards. Disgorged in October 2016 (dosage: nine grams per liter), tasted in November 2017. ~93 WA

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