I wanted to do a review on a bottle of Champagne for a while now. I just needed that special occasion to open it, celebrate & give it a deep analysis. I’m pretty new to the world of Champagne. I only had multiple opportunities to drink some in the last two years. Before that, I’ve never even tried it. Chartogne-Taillet has a biodynamic philosophy & operates the vineyard using non-certified organic practices. This bottle is made from a blend of 2016 (50%) & 2014-2015 (50%) wines.
“..a perfect summer bubbly.”
Cuvée Sainte Anne
Produced & bottled by: Champagne Chartogne-Taillet
Type: Extra Brut White Champagne
Region: AOC Champagne (Montagne de Reims), Grand-Est, France
Aging: Until spring in stainless (40%) & oak (60%). Aged 24 months on lees.
ABV: 12%
Grapes: 50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir
Appearance: 8/10
Cuvée Sainte Anne comes in a modest bottle with a simplistic white label, a black foil & the usual cork. The back has a lot of information on the wine which is always a nice gesture for the consumer. The Champagne is of a pale yellow colour with bright green hues. It has a medium effervescence with some rather large bubbles, although still in the usual range of the typical Champagne. I swirl it delicately & observe that there is practically no leg appearing on the side of the glass. It is quite appealing & evokes freshness as well as fruit-forward flavours.
Nose: 12/15
The nose confirms the appearance with notes of lemon & lime peels. Paired with this are some orchard fruits similar to Bartlett pears, Granny Smith as well as apricots & white peaches. There’s some influence from the yeast evoking aromas of fresh butter, mashed banana, white bread & sourdough. It is incredibly refreshing with loads of fruits & the occasional yeasty bouquet. I prefer more complex examples of Champagne with a more robust nose, but this one was fun & simple.
Mouth: 12/15
The mouth offers a medium body with small bubbles at first that quickly evolve into much larger ones, increasing the body’s weight. The effervescence doesn’t last as long as I would’ve liked but sill confers a certain crispness to the Champagne. This same crisp mouthfeel is enhanced by a bright acidity, some fine tannins & a dry palate. Again, nothing bewitching, it’s a simple, refreshing & lively Champagne. The flavours follow closely the aromas perceived on the nose with plenty of citrus as well as fresh apples, pears & stone fruits. The banana & buttery note are slightly more noticeable. Some new flavours of toasted almonds & floral honey made their way on the palate.
Finish: 8/10
The finish offers a remarkably long flavour of fresh butter, juicy pears & green bananas. It also has a mild bitterness & a medium acidity, which together, make me salivate & indulge into another sip of this pleasant Champagne.
Overall: 80/100
This is a fantastic fresh Champagne. It’s fruit-forward with citrus, apples, pears & peaches with subtle secondary & tertiary notes such as honey, nuts, butter & sourdough. The mouthfeel is lively & acts as a perfect summer bubbly.
3-word Description:
Pears, Lemon & Fresh.
The Reference:
More information @chartogne-taillet.com
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