Pinot Noir 45%, Chardonnay 33%, Pinot Meunier 22%
The house was founded in 1981, at the age of 27, by Bruno Paillard, a Reims native from a lineage of Champagne brokers and growers dating back to 1704. This was the first Champagne marque to display the disgorgement date on every bottle of Champagne. The estate now owns 79 acres of vineyard, 30 acres of which are grand crus. This holding is split among 100 different parcels, and provides 50 to 60 percent of all the fruit required for production. The remainder of fruit is sourced from independent growers from more than 30 villages.
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.”