2012 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Rose Proprietary Blend

2012 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Rose

99 JS

From the critics:

98 VM

96 RP

96 JD

95 WS

This is a structured, focused yet delicate rosé Comtes. Almost rust-colored, with tons of grapefruit, crushed stones, blackcurrants and wild raspberries, alongside oyster shells and chalk. Very precise and fine, with seamless bubbles and a fresh, very long finish. 60% pinot noir (from Mailly, Verzenay and Ambonnay) and 40% chardonnay (Avize, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Oger), of which 16% red wine from Bouzy, all grand cru. Drink or hold.

James Suckling | 99 JS

The 2012 Comtes de Champagne Rosé is magnificent. Rich and explosive in the glass, the 2012 Comtes Rosé dazzles from start to finish. I like it even more today than I liked it last year! A rush of red cherry fruit, kirsch, blood orange, cinnamon and rose petal soars out of the glass. Vertical structure and tons of energy are the signatures. I would be thrilled to own this.

Vinous Media | 98 VM

Disgorged in February 2025 with a dosage of nine grams per liter, the 2012 Comtes de Champagne Rosé opens with a flamboyant, perfumed bouquet of crushed raspberry, blood orange and cherry, mingling with sweet red plum and hints of timut pepper. The full-bodied palate is layered, broad and textural, its generous core of fruit sustained by ripe yet racy acidity and a pillowy mousse that lends liveliness, before the wine culminates in a long, enveloping finish with a touch of phenolic bitterness. Composed of 60% Pinot Noir—including 16% still red wine from Bouzy—and 40% Chardonnay, it can already be enjoyed with satisfaction, though one should reasonably anticipate that it will accrue additional complexity after a few more years under cork.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 96 RP

Pouring a deep pink hue, the 2012 Champagne Blanc De Blancs Comtes de Champagne Rose opens on the nose with very pretty wild raspberries, spices, and classic incense. It’s fruity but weightless, medium to full-bodied, and floats on the palate with mouthwatering acidity and candied grapefruit. Drink 2026-2055.

Jeb Dunnuck | 96 JD

Enticing floral and spice notes lead the way, but a pure beam of strawberry pâte de fruit and flavors of pastry cream, passion fruit coulis and salted Marcona almond expand on the satiny mousse, supported by finely meshed, mouthwatering acidity. Long on the finish, with an echo of chalky minerality. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Drink now through 2040. 500 cases imported.

Wine Spectator | 95 WS

Type of Wine	Champagne : Nothing like a refreshing, vivacious glass of fine Champagne during a hot summer afternoon. Typically combining Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, each Champagne house has a distinct style. Whether you want to sample a single varietal (such as the 100% Chardonnay blanc de blancs) or a tasteful blend, no region can compete with Champagne.
Varietal	Proprietary Blend : Proprietary Blend is a general term used to indicate that a wine is comprised of multiple grape varietals which are either “proprietary” to the winery or is blended and does not meet the required maximum or minimum percentage of a particular varietal. This also is the case for the grape’s place of origin, especially for region, appellation or vineyard designated wines. There are endless examples of blended wines which are labeled as “Proprietary Blend” and in conjunction with each region’s stipulated wine laws and regulations makes for a vast blanket for wines to fall into. Perhaps the simplest example is California; if a wine is to be labeled as Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, it is required to have at least 75% of the varietal (Cabernet Sauvignon) and 85% of the fruit must be cultivated from the Napa Valley wine district. If the wine does not meet the requirements, it is then labeled as Proprietary Blend.
Country	France : Wine is the lifeblood that courses through the country of France, pulsing with vigorous pride and determination. Viticulture is not just a hobby or an occupation in France; it is a passion, a cherished tradition that has been passed down through generations of wine stained hands. Winemaking is a beloved art that has been ingrained in the culture, an aptitude instilled in sons by fathers and the hallmark for which France’s reputation was built, allowing it to be renowned as, arguably, the most important wine producing country in the world. For centuries, France has been producing wines of superior quality and in much greater quantity than any other country in the world. It boasts some of the most impressive wine regions, coveted vineyards and prestigious wines on earth. The regions of Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhone, Sauternes and Champagne have become the benchmark, for which others aspire to become. Legendary producers such as Chateaux Margaux, Domaine De La Romanee Conti, Chapoutier, d’Yquem and Dom Perignon are idolized world-wide. France has stamped its name on nearly every style of wine, from the nectar-like sweet Sauternes to hedonistic Chateauneuf Du Papes classic Bordeaux and Burgundy, to its sparkling dominance in Champagne. Many of the most infamous grape varietals in the world, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay originated in France and are not only beloved, but utilized in the creation of some of the greatest wines on earth. French wine production commands the attention of the wine market year after year. With over 860,000 hectares under vine, and numbers close to 50 million hectoliters of wine produced annually, France dominates the market and sets the standard for not only product quality, but also quantity. France’s many contributions to the world of wine have been absolutely indispensable. The country is the originator of the term “Premier Cru,” coined the term Terroir (a French term so complex there is no literal translation) and has laid the blueprint for a structured appellation system, which others have implemented in their own countries. French vineyard techniques and winemaking practices are mimicked world-wide. California vintners have been replicating Rhone style wines for decades, South America has adopted the French varietal of Malbec and countries around the world are imitating Burgundian styled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. With vast diversity in terroir, France is home to some of the most hospitable winegrowing locations on earth. The combination of topography, geology, climate, rainfall and even the amount of sunlight combined with the long historical tradition of winegrowing and making, has allowed the vintners of France to not only hone their skills, but learn from nature to create a product that like the world in which it resides… is very much alive.
Region	Champagne : The sharp, biting acidity, cutting through the richness; the explosive force that shatters the bubbles as they rise to the surface; the intense flavor and compelling, lively mouthfeel; these are all hallmarks of a good Champagne. Most wines are made from a combination of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, but there are pure-Chardonnay variants and ones that blend only Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. As a result, most wines come with a feeling of familiarity, if not nostalgia. Each Champagne house has its own unique style, so different bottles of Champagne may not resemble each other outside of the core varietal strengths. The soil composition of the subregion is characterized by belemnite and chalk, which lets it absorb heat during the daytime and release it at night. This terroir helps create the feeling of airy, playful lightness of fine sparkling wine. These wines were originally marketed towards royalty, and you can feel a hint of that elusive blue-blood elegance and confidence while drinking one. A good Champagne carries you away like a hurricane carries small debris, and you can feel the powerful life force in each bubble even. The characteristic Champagne "pop" has become a staple at parties and celebrations around the globe - when you hear it, good times are right around the corner.
Cru	Grand Cru