Taittinger Brut Millesime 2015

Taittinger Brut Millesime 2015 is a vintage Champagne blending 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir at 12.5% ABV in a 750ml bottle. This prestige release earned 93 points from Wine Spectator, Jeb Dunnuck, and James Suckling alike — a rare consensus that underscores the quality of the 2015 harvest across Champagne's finest vineyard sites.

Quick Facts: ABV: 12.5%  |  Origin: Champagne, France  |  2015 Vintage  |  Producer: Champagne Taittinger

Production & Heritage

Champagne Taittinger, one of the few remaining family-owned grandes maisons, is headquartered in Reims and draws from some of the region's most prized parcels. The 2015 Millésimé sources its Chardonnay from Grands Crus vineyards on the Côte des Blancs and its Pinot Noir from Grands Crus sites on the Montagne de Reims and the edge of the Vallée de la Marne — 70% Grands Crus and 30% Premiers Crus fruit overall. Fermentation and aging before tirage were conducted entirely in stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness and varietal precision, with only first-press juice used. The wine then spent approximately five years aging on its lees in Taittinger's historic chalk cellars before disgorgement at a dosage of 9 grams per liter.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The bouquet opens with fragrant ripe peach and honeysuckle, shifting into more complex layers of almond croissant, citrus oil, and lime blossom. There is a persistent toasty, biscuit-like quality underpinning the fruit.

Taste: On entry, the mousse is fine and delicate, delivering bright lemon curd and ripe pear across the front palate. The mid-palate broadens with salted almond, spun honey, and nectarine, supported by a chalky mineral backbone that keeps everything taut and linear. Yellow flower and quince notes emerge as the wine warms, adding depth without heaviness.

Finish: The finish is moderately long and elegantly textured, trailing off with candied lemon peel, hazelnut, and a subtle saline quality. A fine thread of acidity persists, refreshing the palate and inviting the next sip.

How to Drink Taittinger Millesime 2015

Serve well chilled at around 8–10°C in a tulip-shaped glass to focus the complex aromatics. This vintage Champagne is built for thoughtful sipping on its own, but it also rewards pairing with food or integration into elevated cocktails.

• Champagne Cocktail: The wine's honeyed depth and fine bead make it a natural fit for the classic sugar-cube-and-bitters format.
• French 75: Its bright citrus character and elegant structure stand up beautifully alongside gin and fresh lemon juice.
• Kir Royale: A small measure of crème de cassis complements the ripe orchard-fruit notes without overwhelming the wine's finesse.

Best For

• Celebrating a milestone anniversary, birthday, or promotion
• Gifting a Champagne enthusiast who appreciates vintage releases
• Opening course at a formal dinner party or tasting menu
• Building a cellar collection of notable Champagne vintages

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Taittinger Millesime 2015 taste like? It delivers ripe pear and nectarine layered with almond, lemon curd, and honey, anchored by a chalky mineral structure and a fine, persistent mousse.

How does Taittinger Millesime 2015 compare to Dom Pérignon 2015? Both are 2015 vintage Champagnes from prestigious houses, but Taittinger's Millésimé is fermented entirely in stainless steel for a fresher, more fruit-forward profile, while Dom Pérignon typically shows more autolytic complexity and commands a significantly higher price point. At 93 points from multiple critics, the Taittinger represents strong value in the vintage Champagne category relative to Dom Pérignon.

Is Taittinger Millesime 2015 good for sipping neat? Absolutely — its balanced acidity, complex aromatics, and delicate mousse make it ideally suited to drinking on its own, lightly chilled, without any additions.

Where is Taittinger Millesime 2015 made? It is produced by Champagne Taittinger in Reims, France, using Chardonnay from the Côte des Blancs and Pinot Noir from the Montagne de Reims and Vallée de la Marne — all within the Champagne appellation.

What foods pair well with Taittinger Millesime 2015? Seared scallops complement the wine's honeyed richness; lobster or langoustine echo its toasty almond notes; aged Comté cheese mirrors its nutty, saline finish; smoked salmon works with its bright acidity; and chicken in a cream-based sauce matches the wine's weight and texture.

What sizes does Taittinger Millesime 2015 come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format for this vintage cuvée.

Is Taittinger Millesime 2015 worth the price? It positions as a premium vintage Champagne from one of the most respected family-owned houses, and its triple 93-point consensus from major critics places it firmly among the best values in the prestige vintage category — well below ultra-premium competitors like Dom Pérignon.

Why Taittinger Millesime 2015?

The 2015 vintage in Champagne produced wines of notable ripeness and generosity, and Taittinger's decision to vinify entirely in stainless steel preserved the purity and freshness that prevents that richness from tipping into heaviness. Drawing 70% of its fruit from Grands Crus sites gives this cuvée a structural depth that rewards both immediate enjoyment and medium-term cellaring. The convergence of 93-point scores from Wine Spectator, Jeb Dunnuck, and James Suckling is not a coincidence — it reflects a vintage expression that delivers well above its price tier. For anyone seeking a serious vintage Champagne from a family-owned house with a proven track record, this release stands as one of the most compelling options from the 2015 harvest.