Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Rose 2013

18/20 - Mid salmon colour with quite a bit of of orange in it. Seriously intense floral nose. Quite a rich, almost ratafia/almond palate entry, good intensity of fruit on the mid palate and then an appetisingly dry finish (despite the 9 g/l dosage) with even a hint of bitterness. I find this even more characterful than the Blanc de Blancs 2014. In fact it’s a seriously good wine! - Jancis Robinson MW

96/100 - After the immediately joyous 2012 release, 2013 continues to show the refinement underway with this lesser-known sibling to Taittinger's Comtes de Champagne blanc, albeit from an entirely different vintage with a more reserved, subtle character. The Pinot Noir dominance, and especially the beautifully fragrant red wine addition (13% of the blend) is clear up front with sweet, juicy red cherry and poached strawberry fruitiness. But the potential of this wine is just emerging with both a rush of racy Chardonnay energy, candied blood orange juiciness, creamy lees-ageing texture and aromatic details of spearmint, flinty reductive charry notes and hibiscus. It hints at complexity which will heighten with time on cork. 2013's natural brightness is here, but this remains glossy and approachable in youth; even two years of further ageing will see it unfold beautifully. - Tom Hewson, Decanter