Taittinger

At the London International Wine and Spirits Fair 2005, Taittinger launched their new champagne: Taittinger Nocturne, which is claimed to be a “night-time” champagne, made with a blend of 40% chardonnay and 60% pinot noir and pinot meunier.  The blend includes over 35 crus from a number of different vintages.  RRP will be £31.99.

Courtesy of Hatch Mansfield, I tasted the Taittinger Nocturne together with the companion cuvée launched last year, Taittinger Prélude.

Taittinger Prélude
Rich and ripe with big flavours.  Very full-on.

Taittinger Nocturne Sec
A very bland nose: just some very light stone fruit.  On the palate, it's quite the contrary: rich and full.  Off-dry, yet clean and fresh.  Very elegant.  But not earth-shattering.

It seems to me that while neither the Prélude nor the Nocturne are not the most stunning of champagnes, yet they provide a useful stopping off point between the non-vintage Taittinger and Taittinger's Comtes de Champagne.

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Last updated: 15 December 2005