Bruno Paillard : Blanc de Blancs "Le Mesnil" Grand cru 1989

The structure and aromatic richness of an exceptional Blanc de Blanc Grand Cru

The estate

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 "Grand Crus". 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

This 1989 Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil Grand Cru was created in a single year (1989) and a single terroir situated at the heart of the Côte des Blancs. The grapes come from two parcels, "Les Mournoirs" and "Pudepeigne". Aged for a little more than 40 years, these south/south-east oriented vines are planted on gentle slopes with a massive limestone subsoil.

The vintage

The very mild conditions in March encouraged early budburst, followed by frost at the end of April as well as icy rains and even snow. The more favourable conditions thereafter allowed for the development of secondary buds which replaced those destroyed by frost. Stormy spells during flowering led to millerandage. Despite these difficult climatic conditions, the grapes, harvested twice over almost 7 weeks, are of a high quality and very ripe.

Winemaking and ageing

Produced only in magnum, this 1989 Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil Grand Cru by Bruno Paillard has been aged on lees for 18 years at a temperature of 10.5°C. Its disgorgement in 2008 is followed by an additional ageing time of 6 years.

Blend

This 1989 Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil Grand Cru by Bruno Paillard is 100% Chardonnay.

Tasting

Colour

The wine is a beautiful golden colour adorned with green hues. The effervescence holds a great finesse.

Nose

The first nose reveals delicious saline and iodised notes conferred by the chalky minerality of Chardonnay. The nose becomes more complex over aeration and mixes aromas of butter, toast, candied citrus peel and marzipan.

Palate

With a beautifully lively attack, the palate seduces with its subtle balance between structure and power. Throughout the tasting, the palate mixes gourmet and brioche aromas up to a chiselled and beautifully persistent finish.