Taittinger Brut Millesime 2007 Champagne (750ml)

When people talk about Champagne's worst years in the first decade of the 21st century, 2001 springs to mind with disastrous downpour just before the harvest for most vineyards, diluting everything to insipidness...Then, what's the second to the worst? People name 2007 -- the difficult cool summer period that retarded grape ripening and the hailstorm that reduced the yield. At the end of the day, 2007 champagnes are generally light on their feet -- lacking substance.

Quite ironically though, another vintage that also lacks substance, the 2004, has been reviewed by most as a very good to excellent year! 2004 has been praised as energetic & lively with excellent acidity. But so does 2007 in terms of the acid level. So why 2004 much more heralded than 2007? Personally, I would attribute it to the fact that 2004 was a much more abundant harvest than 2007... Alas, the Champenoise have much more 2004s to sell to you, so... In terms of quality, it's just not fair to rate 2004 so high, while rating 2007 so low... In other words, if you are disappointed with 2004 for lacking stuffing, you won't feel more disappointed with 2007.

Taittinger Brut Vintage (Millesime in French) is not a big wine, and it never pretends to be. But without the flattering Meunier and without oak, this blend (of 50% Chardonnay from Cote des Blancs and 50% Pinot Noir from Montagne de Reims as well as Vallee de la Marne) produces an elegantly pure & stylish little vintage champagne that has reasonable to good value for its price point.

Tasted in early May, 2015

Serious depth of mirabelle & lemon aromas. When well chilled, it just tastes like a Blanc de Blancs. As expected, a light vintage means the aromas are larger than the body. But wait till it loses the initial chill, then on the mid palate comes such soft, delectable red berry fruit. Now you can forget the lightness, and be delighted by the effortlessness.

A fresh, pure, easy-going apperitif style that offends no one. Thirst-quenching. But don't bother to age it.