The state
Founded in Reims in 1981, Bruno Paillard is one of the youngest Champagne Houses. With an uncompromisable selection of terroirs, the exclusive use of first presses, blends made from a vast collection of reserve wines and an ageing time that is twice as long as required by appellation specifications, the Bruno Paillard champagne range reflects this constant quest for excellence and this desire to produce a "very personal style". Through elegant, complex and wonderfully pure champagnes, the Bruno Paillard House elevates its Champagne know-how to the top of its game.
The vineyard
The Bruno Paillard Champagne House overlooks an exceptional and patiently built vineyard, spread over 32 hectares of vines and 15 growths, 12 of which are classified as "Great Growths". The vineyard brings together the great terroirs of Oger, Le Mesnil sur Oger, Cumières and Verzenay as well as the exceptional Cru des Riceys, situated at the south of Champagne.
The wine
The Bruno Paillard Zero Dosage cuvée is made from a secret blend of more than 30 growths located on the greatest Champagne terroirs.
Winemaking and ageing
Exclusive use of the first press. Winemaking is carried out for the most part in small-capacity oak barrels. The development of this cuvée is unique in its proportion of reserve wines. *Representing half of the blend, some of these reserve wines underwent their first fermentation in barrels, then being stored* in stainless steel vats. Some have aged in bottle for more than 10 years. Ageing time of lees is 3 to 4 years in bottle, complemented by an additional ageing time of 6 months after disgorging.
Blend
Bruno Paillard’s Zero Dosage is a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier.
Tasting
Colour
Dense and bright, the wine is a beautiful straw gold colour. Effervescence is delicate and persistent.
Nose
Generous and beautifully fine, the nose mixes fragrances of white fruits and fresh almonds. At aeration, the nose becomes more complex and reveals tasty notes of chocolate, toast, fresh raspberry and candied chestnuts.
Palate
Live and complex on the attack, the palate seduces with its aromatic richness and its chiselled texture, as well as its saline and persistent finish.
The first release of Bruno Paillard's NV Dosage Zéro is a multivintage blend of more than 30 crus (or 106 parcels) assembling Pinot Meunier from the Marne Valley with equal parts of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the northern slopes of the Montagne de Reims, predominantly fermented in small oak barrels. The cuvée DZ comprises about 50% reserve wines and thus includes all the vintages, starting with the 1985. The straw-yellow to white-golden colored first release starts with an elegant, pure, fresh and vinous bouquet of white fruit and apple compote aromas with a lovely oxidative and chalky citrus touch. Pure, lean and fresh on the palate, this is a bone-dry yet fine, elegant, well-structured and grippy Champagne with beautifully ripe but discreet and food-friendly fruit. Have the DZ cuvée with a starter (with oysters!) or fresh (and possibly raw) white fish from the ocean. The wine has a good, mineral finish with white fruit and some lemon flavors. Disgorged in January 2018, after 36 months sur lattes. Tasted in October 2018.