Wine Reviews
Well-honed acidity defines rich notes of smoked hazelnut, pear tarte Tatin, lemon meringue and mineral, a focused profile set on the satinlike mousse. Lingering and spiced on the racy finish.
The newest release of Taittinger’s NV Prélude Grands Crus, drawn entirely from the 2017 vintage and disgorged in June 2024 with a dosage of nine grams per liter, offers up aromas of toasted bread, pear, peach and almond paste, subtly framed by gentle reduction. Medium- to full-bodied, muscular and broad-shouldered, the wine possesses a rich core of fruit yet remains lively structured around racy acids, culminating in an enveloping finish. Sourced—as ever—from six grand cru villages (Mailly-Champagne, Verzenay, Ambonnay, Avize, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Oger), it is a 50/50 blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, though there is no question that 2017 favored Chardonnay, as red varieties faced considerable disease pressure throughout the region.
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
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.
