Exclusive Listing. Taittinger Comtes 2006 Methuselah (6 Litres). Two thousand six is destined to go down as an important year in the modern-day history of Taittinger. Pierre-Emmanuel Taittinger succeeded in buying the winery from the Starwood Hotel Group and bringing it under family control once again. He also made two fabulous tête de cuvées. The 2006 Comtes de Champagne in particular is going to make a very strong case for inclusion in any conversation about the all-time great vintages of Comtes. In addition to the current releases, I also tasted the 1995, which is showing very well today. 97+ points. Antonio Galloni, July 2015   Introduction: The Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs cuvée is made entirely from Chardonnays from only the best vines in the prestigious Côte des Blancs. It is only produced when the harvest is of exceptional quality worthy of a vintage year.   Tasting Notes: Very pale yellow colour. Fine, light bubbles, rise steadily to form a delicate ring of foam. The nose initially presents a fresh, refined tangerine-like fruitiness. It then develops more mature notes of ripe fruit, raisin pastries and candied fruit.   On the palate, the attack is both smooth and very lively. The mid-palate is supple, full-bodied and rich, with flavours of grapefruit. The finish is still very long and refined with a hint of spice, reminiscent of liquorice sticks.   The Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2006 offers maturity and finesse. This champagne’s aromatic potential is just beginning to open up, suggesting a very good capacity to age.   Winemaking: Produced in the cellars of the former Saint-Nicaise abbey (13th century) in Reims, Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs receives all the lavish care and attention it needs to reach its peak. Every bottle of Comtes de Champagne strictly adheres to all of the following to make it such a rare luxury and the connoisseurs choice:   Only the wine from the first press – the Cuvée – is used: a sure guarantee of finesse.   5% of the wines used to make it have been aged for 4 months in new oak barrels (a third of which are renewed every year), enhancing the intrinsic qualities and complexities of the final blend.Only after slow and patient ageing for 8 to 10 years in the UNESCO Saint-Nicaise chalk pits (Crayères) does this cuvée of exceptional quality come out into the light.   Vintage 2006: Overall, 2006 was a hot year. After a very dry autumn, the winter was cold and snowy, but fortunately there was no damage in the vineyard. The spring brought steady, mild weather, and ended with the vines flowering between 12 and 18 June.   The summer was very variable, with exceptionally hot periods punctuated by numerous storms in July, followed by cooler temperatures and overcast skies in August, while September saw renewed heat and the start of a dry spell. This did not have a negative effect on the volume of the harvest.   The harvest began on 7 September and was relatively spread out, in order to take into account the unevenness in the ripening. Rain arrived at the end of the harvest, but yields were high enough for us to be able to select the best grapes.   Food Pairing: Enjoy with grilled & Roasted White Meats, Fish/Shellfish. The ultimate aperitif. A hedonistic match with fine caviar   Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay. All the grapes used in the Comtes de Champagne are grown in the 100% rated Grand Cru rated vineyards in the Côte des Blancs of Avize, Le Mesnil sur Oger, Oger and Chouilly.   Dosage – 9 g/l Ageing – minimum 5 years   Background Information: Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs is produced in the cellars of the thirteenth century Saint-Nicaise abbey in Reims. The greatest care is taken at every stage of production and it is produced only when all conditions essential to its unique style are met.   The Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs cuvée is made entirely from Chardonnays from only the best vines on in the prestigious Côte des Blancs including Avize, Mesnil sur Oger and Chouilly.     It is only produced when the harvest is of exceptional quality worthy of a vintage year and only the wine from the first press – the Cuvée is used: a sure guarantee of finesse. 5% of the wines used in the blend are aged for 4 months in new oak barrels (a third of which are renewed every year), enhancing the intrinsic qualities of the final blend. Only after slow and patient ageing for many years in the Saint Nicaise chalk pits (Crayères) does this cuvée of exceptional quality come out into the light.