The latest release of Taittinger’s NV Brut Prélude Grands Crus is very good, displaying notes of green apple, smoky pear, red berries, honeycomb, warm biscuits and marzipan. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, broad and fleshy, with a generous core of fruit, bright acids and a pinpoint mousse. Concentrated and vibrant, this is a very promising candidate for aging on cork. (William Kelley)

The NV Brut Prélude Grands Crus has a very clear, complex and fresh yet intense bouquet, currently with more Pinot and walnut/macadamia flavors rather than Chardonnay flavors. Almond biscuits and fine brioche aromas come through only on the second nose. Bottled in 2012, this should be based on the 2011 vintage. It is a full-bodied, fine and elegant but also very complex and persistent Prélude that was sourced in only grand cru vineyards. Disgorged in October 2016 (dosage: nine grams per liter), tasted in November 2017.

The latest release of Taittinger's NV Brut Prélude Grands Crus is showing nicely, offering up aromas of pear, crisp stone fruit, warm biscuits and marzipan. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and precise, with tangy acids and fine depth at the core, this is still a little reserved after what I suspect is quite a recent disgorgement, and it will merit a little patience.

As always, the NV Brut Prélude Grands Crus is showing well, revealing aromas of ripe pear, marzipan, brioche, honey and ripe orchard fruits. Medium to full-bodied, enveloping and charming, it's elegantly suave, with good depth at the core, bright acids and a penetrating, delicate finish. This is a real success.

Fragrant nose of acacia honey, toasted almonds and jasmine. Touch of orange blossom and chalk. Very crisp, great intensity, very fine bubbles. Long finish. Elegant style.

The NV Brut Grand Cru Prelude is equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, all from Grand Cru vineyards. This shows a compelling balance between the weight of the Pinot and the freshness of the Chardonnay in a soft, creamy style that is appealing. This is Lot L9346TA01300, disgorged October, 2009 (not indicated on label). Anticipated maturity: 2010-2015. Taittinger is one of Champagne’s most consistent large brands. The flagship Comtes de Champagne and Comtes de Champagne Rose, two of the finest wines in the region, sometimes fly under the radar, but they are both super-pedigreed wines with brilliant track records for developing considerable complexity in bottle. Readers who want to learn more about the estate and Comtes in particular may want to take a look at my article on www.erobertparker.com published earlier in the year. Taittinger does so many things well, but it would be great to see the estate add disgorgement dates to its labels. Importer: Kobrand Corp., Purchase, NY; tel. (914) 253-7756

50% Pinot Noir, 50% Chardonnay. Aged five years on lees. Dosage 9 g/l. Strongly autolytic nose, with cereal and baked green fruit – an apple-crumble wine. Long, sophisticated, leesy and full with that yeastiness dominating the finish. (RH)

Full bottle 1,598 g. 50% Chardonnay, 50% Pinot Noir from grand cru vineyards. More than five years sur lattes. Tastes as if this is on the higher-dosage side of brut. Danish pastry, crème anglaise, buttered toasted brioche richness with a touch of ash and woodsmoke, and then the deep back-throat tang of burnished metal. Rich but structured. Very broad-shouldered. More magnitude than finesse. (TC)

Disgorged January 2018. Based on 2014. Dosage 9 g/l. 50% Côte des Blancs Chardonnay and Mailly, 50% Verzenay and Ambonnay Pinot Noir. New format to be launched later in 2019. This really has the creamy signature of Taittinger. Quite rich but precise and with some finesse too. Orange peel. Then quite chewy after the crème pâtissière mid palate. (JR)