France

Coteaux Champenois

Medium

Cork

White

Small house Bruno Paillard has taken the unusual step of producing a still white Coteaux Champenois from top Chardonnay terroir Le Mesnil sur Oger in late-ripening, cool 2021. It's a terroir close to the Paillard family's heart, the plot in lieu-dit Mussettes often featuring in the house's top Champagnes. The density and drama from vines of reduced vigour and small berries thanks to the fan leaf virus which characterises the heart of the village does lend itself beautifully to the style. Bright with tangerine peel, candied grapefruit, oatmeal and a slatey, smouldering complexity enriched by barrel fermentation and long maturation, this add up to a complete and engaging Coteaux, very Champenois in its nervy energy and bright acidity. An alternative, if revealing picture of a great Champagne terroir.

Chardonnay

Bruno Paillard, Le Mesnil, Coteaux Champenois, Champagne, France, 2021

Small house Bruno Paillard has taken the unusual step of producing a still white Coteaux Champenois from top Chardonnay terroir 

Bruno Paillard, Le Mesnil, Coteaux Champenois, Champagne, France, 2021

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