Taittinger Brut Millesime 2015 (75cl, 12.5%)

Taittinger Brut Millesime 2015 is a vintage Champagne blending 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir. The Chardonnay comes from Grands Crus vineyards on the Côte des Blancs and the Pinot Noir from Grands Crus sites on the Montagne de Reims and the edge of the Vallée de la Marne, with 70% Grands Crus and 30% Premiers Crus fruit overall. Fermentation and ageing before tirage were in stainless steel tanks, using only first-press juice, followed by about five years on the lees and disgorgement at 9 grams per litre dosage. The nose shows ripe peach, honeysuckle, almond croissant, citrus oil, lime blossom and a toasty, biscuit-like quality. The palate has fine mousse, lemon curd, ripe pear, salted almond, spun honey, nectarine, chalky mineral, yellow flower and quince. The finish trails candied lemon peel, hazelnut and saline notes, with persistent acidity.