Always one of the great Champagnes, this comes from a year that is generally regarded as good but not great. And yet, with this Champagne is magnificent. The wine has some good bottle age, hinting at toast while also keeping the tight, mineral edge of a great wine from the Côte des Blancs. *Cellar Selection* (RV)

A plentiful, early harvest after a cool and rainy August did little for the reputation of the 2007 vintage. Still, I find that the quality of the Chardonnay this year is often underestimated. The Comtes de Champagne is, with Salon, the wine of the vintage, with an aroma of ripe Golden Delicious apples, lemon peel and linden flowers. There are very noticeable notes of saline minerality, smoke and toast. The wine is approachable and silky textured on the palate, with a lively mousse and rich, mouth-filling plumpness. (CC)

The 2007 Comtes de Champagne is a simply brilliant release from for this iconic Champagne and it is already showing incredibly well, offering a wonderful combination of both elegance and substance. It instantly begins to impress with its gorgeous nuances of orchard fruits, lemon zest, apricot, flowers, brioche and salty minerals all taking shape to form the intoxicating aromas. On the palate this is fresh, vivid and beautifully textured with remarkable clarity. This goes on to impress with wonderful precision and freshness through the mineral laced finish. Overall this is an absolutely sensational Comtes which will be accessible early, and should continue to dazzle for many years to come. (JD)