Vintage
2013
Cool
A late, cool and classical October harvest
A cold spring, late flowering and the latest harvest in two decades, picked into October. High acidity, taut and long-lived wines, with Chardonnay in front.
The harvest
Vines about 15 days behind average in spring. Flowering late June to early July. Potential alcohol about 10 per cent, acidity 8.4–8.5 g/l against an average of 7.6. Yield limit 10,500 kg/ha.
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From the archive
Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Rosé 2013
Lovely tones of flowers and berries mark the nose, with red apple skin and blood orange alongside them.
Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Louis Salmon 2013
The nose is complex, giving clear notes of autolytic character, clean fruit and minerality, with floral tones alongside and light touches of beeswax and baked lemons.
Ruinart Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs 2013
A beautiful and complex Champagne. Tonka bean and lightly roasted coffee come first, followed by clean candied citrus and white and yellow stone fruit, with a saline minerality underneath.
Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs 2013
The nose is a firework display, throwing out wave after wave of developed Chardonnay.
Dom Pérignon 2013
A characteristic Dom Pérignon. It shows lovely notes of gunsmoke, coffee and tonka bean over ripe citrus, yellow apple and yellow stone fruit.