08/07/2026 - 2013 Comtes de Champagne Rose - "...a gorgeous, exotic wine. Sublime" - 97 points, Antonio Galloni

Comtes de Champagne Rosé 2013 is a rare and compelling expression of Taittinger’s prestige cuvée, marrying the precision and elegance of Grand Cru Chardonnay with the depth and structure imparted by Grand Cru Pinot Noir. The exceptional 2013 vintage delivers remarkable freshness and definition, with vibrant red berry fruit, blood orange and rose petal aromas layered over refined notes of spice, brioche and fine mineral tension. Extended cellar ageing has added complexity while preserving exceptional energy and poise. Produced in limited quantities, it combines rarity with outstanding ageing potential, making it a highly desirable addition for collectors and discerning fine wine lovers.

"...In fact it’s a seriously good wine!" - 18/20 points, Jancis Robinson

Taittinger, Comtes de Champagne Rose, 2013, 3x750ml

£420 In Bond

“The 2013 Comtes de Champagne Rosé is a gorgeous, exotic wine. Sweet dried cherry, kirsch, tobacco, rose petal, cedar and mint weave across the palate in a sumptuous, racy Rosé that delivers on all fronts. This fruit was picked during the last October harvest in Champagne, except for some small picks in 2021 and 2024. The 2013 is so expressive today. It offers a compelling mix of fruit density, complexity and dynamic energy. Sublime. Dosage is 9 grams per liter. Disgorged: July 2025.”
Drink 2026-2043
97 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2026
 
“This shows fragrant grapefruit, wild raspberry, iodine, honey, blood orange, salty bread and hazelnut aromas. It's sleek, taut and superbly fresh on the palate. The red and orange citrus pinot noir character is singing at the moment, accompanied by salty and mineral nuances. Seamless and long, and taut at the end. 60% pinot noir and 40% chardonnay, all from grand cru sites. Drinkable now, but will be better in a few years.”
98 points, James Suckling, August 2025
 
Full bottle 1,726 g. Contains 15% still red wine (13% according to the tech sheet). Famously cool, late growing season with harvest not started until 24 September. 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay – all from grands crus. 12 years’ ageing on lees. Dosage 9 g/l.
Mid salmon colour with quite a bit of of orange in it. Seriously intense floral nose. Quite a rich, almost ratafia/almond palate entry, good intensity of fruit on the mid palate and then an appetisingly dry finish (despite the 9 g/l dosage) with even a hint of bitterness. I find this even more characterful than the Blanc de Blancs 2014. In fact it’s a seriously good wine!
Drink 2026-2036
18 points, Jancis Robinson, April 2026

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Key Facts:

Founded in 1734 by Jacques Fourneaux; acquired by Pierre Taittinger in 1931 after his WWI service in Champagne.

• Still independently family-owned, now led by Pierre’s great-grandchildren, Vitalie and Clovis Taittinger.
• Based in Reims, the House sits above UNESCO-listed 4th-century chalk cellars, originally belonging to Benedictine monks—ideal for slow Champagne ageing.
• Known for a Chardonnay-dominant style (40% in Brut Réserve to 100% in Comtes Blanc de Blancs), valued for elegance and finesse.
• Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs: Top cuvée, aged 10 years, made only in exceptional years.
• Comtes de Champagne Rosé: Rarest cuvée, made with 40% Chardonnay, 60% Pinot Noir, including 13% Vins rouges Grands Crus for richness and character.

Vintage 2013
 
This 2013 vintage emerged from a year characterised by an exceptionally late and cool growth cycle. The onset of flowering didn’t take place until early July – unprecedented in the Champagne region. Fortunately, this was followed by a glorious summer, with plenty of sunshine, record temperatures and very low levels of rainfall: ideal ripening conditions for the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. The harvest became a drawn-out affair with an unseasonably late start on 24th September. Harvesting unfolded in cool conditions, contributing to the elegance and freshness of the wine. With great energy, this cuvée embodies the extraordinary blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay Grands Crus, defined by the striking harmony and balance they display. It carries all the power and precision of the Comtes de Champagne Rosé, but also the fragrant generosity of the 2013 vintage.
 
This exceptional vintage echoes the superb maturity of the Chardonnay grapes, and is built upon the chalky, mineral body unique to the Comtes de Champagne style, conferring incredible aromatic refinement and a singular strength of character.

Until reaching its peak expression, the Comtes de Champagne Rosé demands time to develop, benefiting from 12 years of slow ripening in our historic chalk quarries. This extended time allows the wine to truly flourish.
 
Background Info:
 
The origins of Champagne Taittinger date back to 1734 when the original house was founded by Jacques Fourneaux. The Taittinger link was established in 1931 when Pierre Taittinger, the founder of today’s company acquired the House. Pierre spent time in the Champagne region when serving in the 1st world war as a young cavalry officer. Stationed at the Château de la Marquetterie, he fell in love with this remarkable property and its vineyards and eventually purchased the company. Today, the Reims based House is headed up by Pierre’s great grandchildren Vitalie and Clovis, both of whom are actively involved in the day to day running of this thriving family Champagne House.
Taittinger remains one of the few Champagne Houses to be owned and actively managed by the family named on the label. Taittinger’s home is situated above miles of chalk tunnels and cellars. These 4th century UNESCO listed cellars once belonged to the Benedictine monks of the abbey of St Nicaise and are perfect for the slow ageing process required for great Champagne.
 
As part of our responsible approach, they carry the “High Environmental Value - Level 3,” “Sustainable Viticulture in Champagne” and ISO 14001 accreditation, which comes in recognition of craftsmanship practised in harmony with nature.
Over the course of generations, the Taittinger vineyard has grown significantly, and now extends over 288 hectares, making it the third largest estate in Champagne. The vineyards are planted with 37% Chardonnay, 48% Pinot Noir and 15% Meunier, harmoniously spanning 40 different crus that rank among the very finest to bear the name of Champagne.
 
The hallmark of the Taittinger Champagnes is the high percentage of Chardonnay used in their winemaking which can be anything from 40% in the Brut Réserve Non Vintage to 100% in the prestigious Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs. This Chardonnay dominance provides for a style of elegance, delicacy and finesse which is recognised worldwide and has earned the House many accolades and awards over the years.

Cuvée Prestige is the finest Champagne that a house produces. Comtes de Champagne is the ultimate expression of Taittinger. Made only in exceptional years from the best Grand Cru fruit and in small quantities from the first pressings, it is ‘La crème de la crème’. Presented in 18th century antique style bottles, this hand-crafted Champagne is aged 18 metres underground in the UNESCO status Saint Nicaise cellars in Reims, for 10 years before being released.
 
Comtes Rosé is made from 40% Chardonnay Grands Crus from the prestigious Côte des Blancs region and 60% Pinot Noir from the Grands Crus from the Montagne de Reims region. It is the Champagne House’s most rare cuvée. The Comtes de Champagne Rosé owes the secret of its uniqueness to the 13% of still red wine which is added to the blend.  Its fruity character and smooth, caressing taste make it a delicious luxury to only be enjoyed in small sips. In the words of the legendary director of the Paris Opera Ballet, Rudolf Nureyev, “When I drink Comtes de Champagne rosé, I no longer dance, I fly...”.