Pinot Noir in Ecstasy
2004 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Rosé
The Greatest Vintage Rosé Champagne Deal?
Lowest Price in the Nation
Taittinger's Comtes Rosé was our unofficial "Champagne of the Year" in 2008. Two years later, we're only more obsessed.
Few wines present such unctuous, lavish, chewy, fragrant and deep fruit on such a powerful, authoritative frame; we drink a lot of Champagne here and the only stylistic comparison that seems relevant is Selosse's rare monster-rosé.
Yet Taittinger's tête de cuvée rosé presents itself with more elegance, unfurling across the palate with super-fine layers of fruit all energized by a seriously powerful mineral core - especially in the rigorous 2004 vintage.
For serious Champagne lovers, this is a must buy.
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It's also, however, a very rare bottle, a Champagne we go well out of our way to secure in top years, yet there is never much (here too the comparison with Selosse seems apt). All this to say we expect a quick sell out - please reply as soon as you can and we will do our best to allocate fairly.
Today we present this bottle at nearly the same price we were able to offer out the 2002 - once again we are far and away the lowest price in the nation.
While this is clearly a Champagne we care deeply about, we're hardly the only ones. Antonio Galloni calls the 2004 "majestic."
Brad Baker (aka "The Champagne Warrior") writes simply: "Year after year, Comtes is one of the best rosé Champagnes made and the 2004 is another winner. Go out and get a few bottles to drink now, in the mid-term, and a few decades from now. It will be good no matter when you drink it."
Baker's last sentiment has proven accurate through our multiple tastings.
When I cracked this a few weeks ago, the rigor and authority of the vintage was still very present, encircling the unctuous fruit and lending the deep Pinot fruit fantastic poise. Over the course of a few hours, this just got better and better - it's a very good sign when the last sip of a wine is the absolute best, making you desire another bottle and promising that there's a beautiful aging curve ahead of it.
Indeed, the 2004 is a rosé that is there for the long haul, if you can stand to not drink it all young. The 71, 73, 76, 79 and 82 are monumental achievements that have stood the test of time. Mature Comtes rosés combine a Burgundy-like earthiness and complexity with a shocking freshness of fruit - these are undoubtedly among the greatest Champagne drinking experiences out there.
For this reason, the 6-pack is highly recommended. But a word to the wise: Drink a few now, and then stash the remainder in the deepest, darkest part of your cellar. Consider locking some up and throwing away the key - anything to guarantee you have some in stock down the line.
All orders, alas, are subject to confirmation. To place your order, please email us at offers@crushwineco.com or call the store at (212) 980-9463.
Ian McFadden
Director, Fine & Rare Wine
Crush Wine & Spirits
Wine is in stock!
NET | No further discount
Brad Baker, Champagne Warrior: "Showing the best characteristics of the 2004 vintage, bright fresh raspberries and strawberries dominate the nose. That said, a few dark red berry notes hide out in the back to give this wine some unexpected structure. The palate is full of rich red berry fruit, complete with a big, red citrus-berry wave crashing in from time to time to remind you that this has a backbone. A few spiced cherry notes add complexity, and hints of dark cherry show up on the finish to add even more mystery to this wine. Year after year, Comtes is one of the best Rose Champagnes made and the 2004 is another winner. Go out and get a few bottles to drink now, in the mid-term, and a few decades from now. It will be good no matter when you drink it."
Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate: "The 2004 Brut Rose Comtes de Champagne is a majestic wine that gradually opens up in the glass to reveal subtle layers of expressive, fragrant fruit. The wine picks up body on the mid-palate where the substance of the fruit emerges with greater weight. The mousse and the wine's overall balance are impeccable. Although the 2004 Brut Rose Comtes de Champagne is delicious now, readers will probably want to give this at least a few years in the cellar. The wine should be magnificent in a few years' time. The 2004 Brut Rose Comtes de Champagne is 30% Chardonnay and 70% Pinot Noir (including 12% still Pinot), all from Grand Cru villages."