Taittinger
Prélude Grands Crus
VINTAGE
Non-Vintage
COUNTRY
France
TABLE #
6208
REGION
Champagne
92
There's a pleasing viscosity to this elegant Champagne, with sleek acidity creating a mouthwatering frame for the flavors of wild cherry, toast point, preserved lemon and honeycomb. Offers a lingering, creamy finish. Drink now through 2023.
Taittinger Prélude is produced exclusively from Grand Cru vineyards, with half the blend composed of Chardonnay primarily from Avize and Le Mesnil sur Oger in the Côte des Blancs, and half of Pinot Noir mainly from Mailly, Bouzy and Ambonnay in the Montagne de Reims. Following harvest, the grapes are pressed immediately in press houses located among the vineyards, yielding a first pressing which is the only pressing used in Prélude. At the winery, fermentation takes place under temperature-controlled conditions. Blending occurs after the primary fermentation, and thereafter the final cuvée undergoes the second fermentation in the bottle in Taittinger’s cool cellars, during which the wine acquires its complexity and fine, pinpoint bubbles. The wine is aged for five years on the lees, as opposed to the required minimum of one, to develop body and bouquet.
50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir
5 years on the lees
N/A
The wine’s brilliant, pale yellow color with silvery reflections indicates the high proportion of Chardonnay. This
Champagne is subtle and fresh on the nose, with mineral aromas that quickly give way to notes of elderflowers
and spicy cinnamon. In the mouth, lean mineral Chardonnay notes delicately balance the aromatic strength of
Pinot Noir. The lively palate is dominated by fresh citrus and white peaches in syrup. Over time, this
Champagne develops to become more full-bodied, round and silky with a rich, lingering finish that bursts with
flavor.
Makes an excellent accompaniment to classic seafood dishes.