Taittinger, Champagne Brut Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs, 2004 BOWLERGADI2023 and cassis—but also graphite

and cassis—but also graphite

this is a chance to drink a serious classified Saint-Émilion in its drinking window

and Michael Cruse's Ultramarine rosé captures its distinctive character in sparkling form

Guiberteau trained under Clos Rougeard

The vines are deeply rooted in clay-limestone soils

Taittinger, Champagne Brut Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs, 2004 BOWLERGADI2023 and cassis—but also graphiteComtes de Champagne is Taittinger's flagship, made only in top vintages and only from 100% Chardonnay grown on the Grand Cru chalk of the Cote des Blancs (Avize, Cramant, Chouilly, Le Mesnil sur Oger, Oger). Only first press juice is used, a small share is fermented in new oak, and the wine ages roughly eight to twelve years on its lees in the house's Gallo Roman chalk cellars under Reims. The 2004 is a more classically balanced, elegant vintage than