Prélude “Grands Crus” is a cuvée that makes an excellent aperitif or accompaniment to classic seafood dishes.
Prélude Grands Crus Cuvée is composed of Chardonnay (50%) and Pinot Noir (50%) that Taittinger has selected exclusively from the top Grands Crus vineyards classified as “100%” in the Champagne system. Produced only using first press wines, this rare blend offers the finesse and structure that a great wine needs if it to be laid down for any length of time. On the palate, this wine strikes the perfect balance of the instantly minerally Chardonnay and the strongly expressive Pinot Noir. Aged for more than five years in the cellar, the Prélude cuvée is unique for its remarkable youth and great wealth of flavours.
Disgorged last year after six years sur lattes and finished with a dosage of six grams per liter. Offering up aromas of pear, stone fruits, warm brioche, white flowers and iodine, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and incisive, with fine depth at the core, racy acids and a long, penetrating finish. Based on the 2013 vintage and sourced largely from Avize, Mesnil, Mailly and Verzenay, as I've written before, this is an excellent bottling that flies somewhat under the radar. 93+ points, Wine Advocate