多谢Johnny分享佳酿与靓照!

Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Brut Rose 1997  (750ml)

Grape proportions: 70% Pinot Noir (saignee), 30% Chardonnay

Tasted in April, 2011

19:15 Served upon uncorking.

Lovely pink-gold robe with golden highlights: bright and warm, reminiscent of a beautiful sunset in the winter. Fine beads, regularly spaced, leisurely yet persistently rise up towards the surface.

Initially, the bouquet is intriguingly oily with scents of exotic wood, at the very next moment sweet aroma of raspberry takes over the show.

19:18 Just a sip, my heart is filled with pure joy: the concentrated, fleshy red fruit is deliciously sweet, like home-made marmalade from freshly picked raspberry and morello cherry; the waves of vivacious and persistent bubbles keep the taste buds excited; the subtle notes of toast, smoke and spice contribute further complexities; and the terrific acidity from fine Chardonnay shines through on the mid palate and the lingering aftertaste, lifting the wine with supreme freshness, thrilling tension and poised elegance. Just beautiful and lively!

19:23 With more time in the glass, the smoky and toasty notes become dominant in the bouquet. The palate continues to exhibit beautiful fruit and impressive vivacity. Marvelous aftertaste of lingering sour-sweetness.

19:31 Freshly poured.

Wonderful aroma of decadent Pinot Noir!

The taste becomes mint refreshing on first attack, and then candied raspberry and tangerine exude charm from the mid palate onto the finale.

19:45 Decadent Pinot aroma. Good balance of sour-sweet taste.

Then the sweet red fruit seems to retreat, while the acidic Chardonnay dominates the show.

20:07 Freshly poured.

On the nose, the charm of raspberry ice-cream enhances the depth of chalky minerality. The taste regains good balance: vibrant and mint refreshing, with toasty, smoky complexities.

This is a truly beautiful and exciting rose. Although it can certainly be further cellared, perhaps acquiring further depth of smoky, toasty character, I would rather recommend drinking it soon and better still, drinking it within half an hour after uncorking to catch all the glorious fruit!