A Prestige Rosé of Legendary Status — Comtes de Champagne from One of Reims' Most Celebrated Family-Owned Houses

My Wine Man on Taittinger

Taittinger is one of the last great family-owned Champagne houses — founded in 1932 and still under the stewardship of the Taittinger family today, a rarity in a region increasingly dominated by luxury conglomerates. Based in Reims, the house is renowned for its Chardonnay-driven, elegant house style — wines of finesse, precision, and exceptional longevity. Comtes de Champagne is Taittinger's crown jewel — a prestige cuvée that has defined what great Champagne can be since its first vintage in 1952. The Rosé is rarer still: produced only in exceptional years, it represents the absolute pinnacle of Taittinger's art and one of the most sought-after and collectible bottles in all of Champagne. The 2004 vintage is widely regarded as one of the finest of the decade — cool, precise, and built for the long haul. Disgorged in April 2008, this bottle has had nearly two decades to develop in the cellar, and it is now drinking at the very peak of its powers.

Tasting Notes

The 2004 Comtes de Champagne Rosé is a blend of 70% Pinot Noir (including 12% still Pinot Noir vinified as red wine to give the cuvée its extraordinary depth of colour and fruit) and 30% Chardonnay — every grape sourced exclusively from Grand Cru villages, the highest classification in Champagne. In the glass, the colour is a luminous, deep salmon-pink with a fine, persistent mousse. The nose is fragrant and expressive — wild strawberry, raspberry, and rose petal layered with toasted brioche, hazelnut, and a subtle chalky mineral depth that speaks to the Grand Cru terroir. On the palate, the wine builds weight and substance through the mid-palate, with an impeccable mousse, vibrant acidity, and a finish of extraordinary length and complexity. Nearly two decades of bottle development have added layers of tertiary complexity — dried rose, spice, and a savoury mineral depth — that elevate this wine to a truly exceptional level.

Style & Drinking Window

Full-bodied vintage Rosé Champagne of majestic presence, exceptional complexity, and flawless balance. The 2004 is drinking at its absolute peak right now — a rare opportunity to experience a great vintage Champagne at exactly the right moment. Serve well-chilled in a large Burgundy glass at 10–12°C to allow the complexity to fully open. A wine for a truly special occasion.

Food Pairing

The Comtes de Champagne Rosé's Grand Cru Pinot Noir depth and evolved complexity open it up to the finest food pairings. Freshly shucked oysters, grilled salmon with a champagne beurre blanc, or the finest seafood — lobster, langoustine, or hand-dived scallops — are the natural companions. Roasted chicken with truffle butter or a delicate pasta with white truffle also pair beautifully with the wine's brioche, hazelnut, and mineral complexity. A board of the finest soft cheese — a perfectly ripe Brie de Meaux or Brillat-Savarin — rounds off the pairing perfectly.

Why This Is a Smart Buy

At HK$2,288, the 2004 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Rosé is exceptional value for a prestige cuvée of this rarity, provenance, and age. Grand Cru Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, produced only in exceptional years, disgorged in 2008, and now nearly two decades in bottle — drinking at its absolute peak. Comparable prestige rosé Champagnes from other houses command significantly higher prices. For collectors and enthusiasts seeking the ultimate vintage rosé Champagne experience, this is a rare and compelling opportunity.

Looking for a Different Style?

If you'd like to explore other exceptional rosé and prestige Champagnes from our range, consider these alternatives:

• Billecart-Salmon Rosé Champagne — One of Champagne's most celebrated family-owned houses — a beautifully precise and elegant rosé. HK$599.
• Ruinart Brut Rosé Champagne — The world's oldest Champagne house — a refined and expressive rosé of exceptional elegance. HK$629.
• 1996 Dom Pérignon Rosé Champagne — The greatest vintage Champagne Rosé ever made — 100 points, 30 years aged, and drinking at its absolute pinnacle. HK$4,999.

Life's too short for bad wine.