Grapes for this Champagne are grown on the Château de la Marquetterie, a longtime Taittinger property.
“The latest release of Taittinger’s NV Brut Folies de la Marquetterie is showing superbly, bursting from the glass with aromas of fresh bread, crisp stone fruit, buttered toast, citrus oil and mirabelle plums. Full-bodied, vinous and fleshy, with an enveloping core of fruit, racy acids and a pillowy pinpoint mousse, it’s a gourmand, concentrated wine with the substance to evolve with grace in the cellar.
One of Champagne’s largest houses, Taittinger is also among the region’s largest landholders, with their 288 hectares of vineyards supplying some 40% of their requirements.. . . .Two others cuvées that fly under the radar are the Folies de la Marquetterie—from parcels Taittinger is farming in pursuit of riper, more concentrated fruit—and the Prélude Grands Crus, a seriously age-worthy Champagne that sometimes gets somewhat lost in the Taittinger range.” Robert Parker 94 Points
“Raspberry, floral and spice notes are ripe and fragrant in this graceful Champagne, which shows a fine backbone of vibrant acidity and a delicate mousse. Hints of saline, graphite and lemon peel linger on the finish. Lovely.” Wine Spectator 92 Points
Château de la Marquetterie, set in the heart of the Champagne
wine-growing region, was, prior to the French Revolution,
the one-time residence of writer Jacques Cazotte, author of
French classic Le Diable Amoureux, and a site for village fairs
where philosophers and intellectuals of the Enlightenment
would gather. General Castelnau also used the stately home
as his headquarters during the Battle of Champagne in 1915,
while much earlier, in the 17th century, Brother Oudart,
a Benedictine Monk, discovered some of the secrets of
champagne fermentation
“Folies de la Marquetterie” proposes a blend of 45%
Chardonnay and 55% Pinot Noir, sourced exclusively from
the Taittinger vineyards. The acquisition of the Château de la
Marquetterie and the surrounding vineyards, a site known as
“Les Folies”, marked the beginning of the family’s Champagne
adventure. The vineyard grew very quickly and the House
now presents more than 35 different crus. “Folies de la
Marquetterie” pays tribute to this story. The signature tends to
dense and profound, with opulent aromas. Each plot is vinified
separately, while some crus are aged in oak barrels. Finally, five
years of ageing in bottles ensures the wine’s perfect balance.
The body is deep yellow in colour with golden highlights.
The bubbles are fine and delicate. The intense, highly fruity
bouquet leads onto peach and apricot jam aromas with
subtle hints of toasted brioche and vanilla. On the palate, this
wine is full-bodied, smooth and fruity with dominant peach
flavours. The distinctive and expressive finish delivers lightly
woody notes. Les Folies de la Marquetterie is a full-flavoured
and harmonious champagne distinguished by its immense
richness and complexity. This “terroir” wine, structured and
powerful, pays homage to the 18th century and is the ideal
accompaniment to robust dishes such as roasted meats and
fish in sauce.