Taittinger Brut Millésimé 2018 Magnum

Taittinger Brut Millésimé 2018 Magnum is the vintage champagne of Maison Taittinger, drawn from the 2018 harvest alone, here in magnum. It is produced only in the years judged worthy of being declared, to keep the memory of a fine harvest.

According to the house, 2018 saw contrasting weather, with persistent rain early in the year and then an early summer. The harvest was excellent, with abundant bunches, rich in sugar and highly expressive.

The wine blends equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, from the first pressings only, with 70% Grands Crus and Premiers Crus for the rest. It aged five years in the cellar before receiving a dosage of 9 g/L. The magnum holds 1.5 litres, the equivalent of two bottles. It is the format enthusiasts prefer: because the volume of air under the cork is proportionally smaller, the wine evolves more slowly and more harmoniously, and gains complexity over time.

Key facts

• Origin: France, Champagne, Grands Crus and Premiers Crus
• Producer: Champagne Taittinger
• Vintage: 2018
• Grapes: Chardonnay 50%, Pinot Noir 50%
• Dosage: Brut, 9 g/L
• Ageing: five years in the cellar, first pressings only
• Size: 150 cl (magnum, 1.5 L)

Tasting notes

• Colour: Clear, bright yellow, still youthful, with light golden highlights
• Nose: Lovely complexity, floral notes of hawthorn, pear, kumquat and verbena
• Palate: Great energy, fresh and dynamic attack, a balance between structure and finesse

Serving and storage

Serve it at around 10 °C, in a white wine glass rather than a flute, to let its aromas open up. The house gives it a cellaring potential of eight years or more, and the magnum, which ages more slowly, is the ideal format for following it over time. Store the bottle lying down, in a cool cellar, at a steady temperature and away from light.

Food pairing

Cured ham, gougères, roast poultry, John Dory or seared tuna. It also pairs with salmon sashimi and maki, a prawn and avocado salad or an aged Mimolette. In magnum, it lends style to a festive dinner.

Further reading

Read the story of Maison Taittinger. Also discover the different types of champagne and what sets large bottles apart and how the aromas of wine evolve over time. Find more cuvées in our selection of magnums and large formats and our selection of vintage champagnes. Discover all of Maison Taittinger in our Taittinger collection.

Frequently asked questions

What is a vintage champagne?

It is a champagne made only with the grapes of a single year, shown on the label. Houses declare a vintage only when the harvest is judged exceptional, and the wine ages longer in the cellar than a non-vintage brut.

Why choose a magnum?

A magnum ages more slowly than a 75 cl bottle, because the volume of air in contact with the wine is proportionally smaller. The champagne keeps its freshness longer and gains in finesse, and the format is ideal for a table of eight to ten people.

Who is Maison Taittinger?

The origins of the house go back to 1734 and the merchant house Forest-Fourneaux, taken over in 1932 by Pierre Taittinger, who gave it his name. Still family-owned and independent, it is led today by Vitalie Taittinger. Its style rests on the generous place given to Chardonnay, a guarantee of finesse and freshness, and its wines age in the Gallo-Roman chalk cellars of Saint-Nicaise, in Reims.

How is the bottle shipped?

Delivery is free in France for orders from €300. Every bottle is carefully packed and sent with tracking.