The Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs, Champagne Taittinger’s most rare and precious cuvee, was created as a tribute to the Counts (or “Comtes”) of Champagne who ruled over the Saint-Nicaise Abbey and to Thibauld IV in particular. The blend is derived solely from Chardonnay grapes from the highest ranked crus of the Cote des Blancs, the most prestigious source of Chardonnay in Champagne.

Produced only when the harvest is exceptional quality worthy of a vintage year, and only from the first press, Comtes de Champagne is a study in finesse. Since its first cuvee in 1952, just 30 vintages have been deemed worthy of bottling.

The 2008 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs is a highly acclaimed Champagne blend from the renowned Taittinger house, located in the Champagne region of France. This particular vintage has garnered exceptional praise from various esteemed reviewers, highlighting its outstanding qualities and long-term aging potential.

James Suckling awarded this Champagne a perfect score of 100, calling it "the perfect blanc de blancs" and describing it as "full-bodied with a lovely framework of acidity and dry fruit, such as apples, pears, and peaches." He commends its balance and harmony, noting that it is "opulent, dense, and muscular" and has a "line of acidity at the end." According to Suckling, it is "the greatest Comte ever" and is suitable for both immediate consumption and long-term cellaring (jamessuckling.com, 8/2/2021).

Vinous also gave this wine a high score of 98, with Neal Martin describing it as "stunning" when served from a magnum. He notes its "vivid citrus fruit on the nose with crushed stone," and praises its concentration, balance, and purity. Martin highlights the "almost penetrating finish that has the salinity to beckon you back for another sip," suggesting that both magnum and 750ml formats have a long life ahead (Vinous, 3/29/2022).

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate echoes this sentiment, also awarding a score of 98. The reviewer describes the 2008 Comtes de Champagne as having a "deep and complex bouquet of citrus oil, crisp orchard fruit, warm brioche, crushed chalk, blanched almonds, and smoke." The wine is noted for its "excellent concentration, racy acids, and a long, searingly chalky finish," and is expected to have significant longevity (Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 9/17/2020).

Decanter similarly rates this Champagne at 98, praising its "aromas of ripe pear, peach, bergamot, and chamomile," along with its "rich, creamy texture" and "persistent mousse." The fresh acidity and subtle bitterness are highlighted as contributing to the wine's balance and impressive length (Decanter, 1/5/2022).

Wine Enthusiast's Roger Voss awarded it 97 points, noting that it comes entirely from Grand Cru vineyards in the Côte des Blancs. He describes it as being at "perfect maturity," balancing "crisp, taut minerality and wonderful toastiness," and calls it "intense, beautifully clear and limpid" (Wine Enthusiast, 3/1/2021).

Wine Spectator's review, giving it a score of 95, highlights its "fine, lacy mousse" and "delicate flavors of ripe Anjou pear, tangerine peel, toasted almond, and candied ginger." The review mentions that the wine is "fresh and graceful," with a "lasting, chalky finish" (Wine Spectator, 12/15/2015).

Jasper Morris, awarding it 98 points, describes the wine as "precise, citrus fresh, with complexity and impossible length," likening its minerality to Chablis. He notes that it is a "nervy, unyielding wine" with "energy and potential," suggesting it is ideal for long-term cellaring (Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy, 11/1/2017).

In summary, the 2008 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs is a highly esteemed vintage, celebrated for its exceptional balance, complexity, and aging potential. With accolades from multiple reviewers, it stands out as a remarkable Champagne that promises to impress both now and for decades to come.