NV Taittinger "La Française" Brut, Champagne, France 1.5L MAG

ABOUT THIS WINE Taittinger Brut La Française is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier wines from at least 35 villages. The high proportion of Chardonnay (40%) is unique among fine nonvintage Champagnes. The presses are located in the vineyard for immediate pressing of the fruit after the manual harvest, and the resulting must is cold fermented under temperature-controlled conditions. After resting until the end of winter, the wine is blended, and then the final cuvée undergoes a second fermentation in the bottle in Taittinger’s cool cellars. The aging of Brut La Française on the lees for almost 4 years more than doubles the legal minimum of 15 months. This extra time in the cellars allows the wine to reach the peak of aromatic maturity, and the result is a delicately balanced Champagne, known for its consistently excellent quality. ABOUT THIS PRODUCER Champagne Taittinger is one of the few remaining family-owned Champagne houses, renowned for its extensive vineyard holdings, including Grand Cru sites in the Côte des Blancs and Montagne de Reims. Unlike most large producers, Taittinger relies primarily on estate-grown fruit and is known for its unusually high proportion of Chardonnay, which lends elegance and finesse to its wines. The house is also recognized for aging its Champagnes well beyond the minimum legal requirements. François Taittinger, son of founder Pierre Taittinger, established the house style of delicacy and refinement. Under his leadership, Taittinger expanded its vineyards and increased Chardonnay plantings to 37%, well above the regional average. Working alongside legendary cellar master Roger Lénique, he set rigorous quality standards, using only the finest first-press juice and aged Champagnes in the dosage to craft exceptionally elegant, dry wines. Today, the house remains family-run under the leadership of Vitalie and Clovis Taittinger, great-grandchildren of the founder.