The 2006 Comtes de Champagne is striking, especially in the way it brings together elements of ripeness and freshness in a hypothetical blend of the 2002 and 2004. Smooth and creamy on the palate, the 2006 is all about texture. There is a real feeling of density and weight in the 2006, qualities I expect to see grow with time in the bottle. All the elements fall into place effortlessly. The 2006 has been nothing short of magnificent both times I have tasted it. Comtes de Champagne remains the single best value (in relative terms) in tête de cuvée Champagne. I suggest buying a case and following it over the next 20-30 years, which is exactly what I intend to do. There is little doubt the 2006 Comtes de Champagne is a magical Champagne in the making.

– vinous.com, July 2015

Tasted almost two years after disgorgement, the 2006 Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs shows a beautiful golden-citrus color and opens with a fascinating intense, floral, slightly reductive nose that develops enormously in the glass, offering lemon and lemon confit aromas along with flinty notes of crushed chalk and the iodine flavors of the Atlantic Ocean. This is an utterly complex and promising bouquet! The palate is terribly fresh but also rich, lush and intense, with the purity of the finest wines of the Côte de Blancs, the concentration of perfectly ripe Chardonnay and the suppleness of 2006. This has impeccable balance paired with high tension. The wine is very tight and still seems to be on its way right now. Although there is a first hint of aromatic ripeness, this should be a great Comtes de Champagne in a couple of years. The finish is tensioned, concentrated and mineral but keeps its talents in an almost bursting bubble. Disgorged September 2016; tasted May 2018 (lot L6316UM13600).

A cold winter and scattered frost were followed by a hot, dry July. August rains cleared in time for the two weeks of dry, warm weather before a harvest in near-perfect conditions from 11 September. The Comtes is softly rich and lush, with an elegant, approachable ripe apple fruit, a hint of buttered toast and a firm mineral underpinning. Although the texture is somewhat soft, this wine has plenty of extract and potential for ageing.

Quality 959 | Brand 968 | Economics 817 |

buzz brand, investment staple
Quality: Predicted life of 18 years, one of the longest drinking windows in its peer group for the 2006 vintage, which averages 6 years Brand: Strong restaurant presence, featuring on 33 of the world's top wine lists, including 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana Economics: More traded at auction than its peers, its top 5 vintages having seen 1,808 75cl equivalent bottles traded in the past year Production: Higher production than its peer group average of 22,775 bottles

- www.wine-lister.com, June 2017

Very young and a bit relentless when they are tasted too close to discorgement. In just a couple of months, the direct charm and elegance will brighten a lot stronger. A classic and beautifully composed Comtes. June 2023.

Ingredients from 'top grands crus' including Avize, Chouilly, Cramant, Mesnil-sur-Oger and Oger. Warm summer and a harvest that began on 7 September in mild, damp conditions. A lovely bottle drinking beautifully now. Tight bead, neat composition, lemon-flavoured and creamy-textured. Still very fresh indeed for an 18-year-old wine. (JR)