2011 Champagne Taittinger, Comtes de Champagne, Blanc de Blancs, Brut spirit and yet I am also

and yet I am also struck by its tension

when I became the only journalist at what has to be the wine event of the year - the unveiling of a bottle of Petrus that had spent 438 days on the International Space Station

The 2010 Château Batailley is one of the great vintages of recent times

(Simon Staples

New owners Louis Roederer must be delighted with their first vintage here

2011 Champagne Taittinger, Comtes de Champagne, Blanc de Blancs, Brut spirit and yet I am alsoThe 2011 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne is superb with generous, bright aromas of lemon cream, stone fruits, baked pastry and almonds. The palate has a subtle verve: rich but not overbearing and its weight is carried with deftness and elegance. There is freshness here and a fine mousse brings a lively energy. Beautiful acidity and with extraordinary length, it finishes with a twist of salinity leaving you reaching for a second sip. Berry Bros. & Rudd