Taittinger Prélude Grands Crus

Complex and very inviting nose of buttered bread, apricots, orange fruit, crushed chalk and salted almonds. Lovely texture and balance, with layers of fresh salinity and minerality. Medium-bodied.

Equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, the NV Champagne Grand Crus Prelude Brut is based on the 2017 vintage and comes from the villages of Ambonnay and Bouzy for the Pinot Noir and Mesnil-sur-Oger and Chouilly for the Chardonnay. The same release that I tasted last year, it’s developing nicely and harmonizing, with aromas of toasted almond, lemon custard, ripe orchard fruit, and fresh chalky earth. Filling the palate, it’s full-bodied and powerful, with a driving texture of citrus oils and a long, savory, mineral-toned finish. It displays a nice balance between its ripe fruit and its mineral tone. Drink 2023-2033. 9 grams per liter of dosage.

As always, the NV Brut Prélude Grands Crus is showing well, revealing aromas of ripe pear, marzipan, brioche, honey and ripe orchard fruits. Medium to full-bodied, enveloping and charming, it's elegantly suave, with good depth at the core, bright acids and a penetrating, delicate finish. This is a real success.

There is some fine maturity to this rich Champagne. Its fruitiness shows balance with acidity and toastiness. Drink this attractive wine now.