2012 Bruno Paillard 'Assemblage' Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut Champagne

Winemaker Notes:  A straw gold color and very fine bubbles. Its delicate hue comes from to the use of a high percentage of Chardonnay and of the first pressing only. The first aromas reveal the citrus character of the Chardonnay, such as lime and grapefruits. Red fruit aromas then come out, including redcurrant, raspberry, morello cherry - typical Pinot Noir. On leaving the wine to open up, candied fruits, even exotic fruits of Pinot Meunier appear with aromas of banana and pineapple. The palate is lively. The nose is confirmed by the first taste, including citrus, almonds, toasted bread and "brioche"... but also redcurrant jelly, and dark fruits like cherry, fig or blackberry. The palate is full, quite long, with a very clean finish. Elegant, but not without complexity, this wine perfectly illustrates what is "the house style."

The Premiere Cuvee champagne is an excellent aperitif. It matches divinely with cheese (Brie de Meaux, Camembert, aged salers), poultry and shellfish.

Blend: 45% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay, 22% Pinot Meunier

CRITICAL ACCLAIM


Wine Enthusiast - "A bright, dry Champagne, this is well balanced, freshly textured and packed with tight, mineral acidity. This relatively young bottling will be best from 2022."


Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - "The 2012 Extra-Brut Assemblage Millésimé is excellent, offering up aromas of sweet orchard fruit, honeycomb, buttered toast, lemon pith and white flowers. Medium to full-bodied, seamless and enveloping, it's elegantly muscular and concentrated, with racy acids and a long, saline finish. It was disgorged in March 2020."