Pierre Paillard Brut Bouzy Grand Cru Les Parcelles '18th Edition'

Introduction

Pierre Paillard Brut Bouzy Grand Cru Les Parcelles '18th Edition' is a Champagne from France, originating in the Montagne de Reims region and the Bouzy appellation. The wine is produced by the family-owned Champagne house Pierre Paillard. The Paillard family has been cultivating vines in Bouzy, which is classified as a Grand Cru, since 1768. The house is considered an independent vigneron committed to showcasing the distinctiveness of the Bouzy terroir. 'Les Parcelles' is the Paillard family's signature, non-vintage cuvée, designed to express the purest essence of the Bouzy Grand Cru vineyard. The number '18' denotes the 18th blend, or 'edition,' of this particular wine.

Wine Description

The wine has a crystalline, medium yellow colour. The aromatic profile is noted for its freshness and precision, featuring notes of citrus fruit, white flowers, and red fruit, which is characteristic of the Bouzy Pinot Noir. Further notes include red apple, white peach, toasted grain, mint, crushed stone, saline, and a touch of chalk.

The blend for the 18th edition is 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, which is typical for the house's style, giving it a balance of flesh and finesse. The wine includes a high proportion of reserve wine, with 32% reserve wine from a perpetual reserve started in 2005, giving the wine complexity and depth. It is a medium-bodied wine. On the palate, it is fresh and broad, featuring notes of lemon peel, red apple, and red fruit. It has chalky minerality, excellent purity, and a great precision. Stylistically, it is taut, fresh, and vinous, with a powerful structure and a focused core. The finish is long, complex, clean, and refreshing. It is Brut, with a low dosage of 2.5 grams per litre (g/L). The ABV is $12.5\%$.

Accolades

• Vinous - 93 points

• The Wine Advocate - 92 points

• Robert Parker - 92 points

• Wine Spectator - 91 points

Food Pairing

This Champagne is a fine gastronomic wine that can be enjoyed with a variety of meals. It is a perfect match for richer fish dishes, poultry, and white meats. Suggested pairings include roast chicken, seafood, or even light-to-medium-bodied cheeses.

Vintage Quality

This wine is based on the 2018 vintage (with reserve wines blended in). The 2018 growing season in Champagne was characterised by excellent weather conditions, leading to a large and high-quality harvest. The year benefited from a warm and sunny summer, resulting in ripe, healthy grapes that provide the wine with its ample fruit and focused complexity.