2011 Champagne Taittinger, Comtes de Champagne, Blanc de Blancs, Brut spirit when I became the only

when I became the only journalist at what has to be the wine event of the year - the unveiling of a bottle of Petrus that had spent 438 days on the International Space Station

(Simon Staples

unsmoked cigars

The 2010 Château Batailley is one of the great vintages of recent times

it really is the archetype of a wine for the cellar

2011 Champagne Taittinger, Comtes de Champagne, Blanc de Blancs, Brut spirit when I became the onlyThe 2011 Taittinger Comtes de Champagne is superb with generous, bright aromas of lemon cream, stone fruits, baked pastry and almonds. The palate has a subtle verve: rich but not overbearing and its weight is carried with deftness and elegance. There is freshness here and a fine mousse brings a lively energy. Beautiful acidity and with extraordinary length, it finishes with a twist of salinity leaving you reaching for a second sip. Berry Bros. & Rudd