Region: Champagne, France
Appellation: Coteaux Champenois
Color/Style: Red Wine
Grapes: Pinot Noir

Pierre Paillard is a small grower with eleven hectares of vines, all located in Grand Cru Bouzy. Paillard is unique in the area because of their high percentage of Chardonnay in an area known for Pinot Noir (40% Chardonnay/60% Pinot Noir). The winery has been in the family for eight generations, and they have been bottling under the Pierre Paillard name for four generations. They farm sustainably, use spontaneous yeast fermentations, and never stop malo. The wines benefit from extended ageing on the lees, but maintain a fresh, fruit-driven core and elegant balance.

This is such an exquisitely lean, pale, yet full and fleshy red, that you can’t help but wish you had a second bottle of. The nose leaps with gorgeous tangy, tart red fruit which speaks of the cool, limestone-laden vineyard site. 45 year old vines help this wine to have a density to the fruit which proves intoxicatingly compelling—the wine is lean, taut and pretty, but also has a flesh to it. The late finish is all flowers, clay, and luscious cherry. It’s a wine you’ll love, and likely want more of, but never would’ve thought to try.