::Disgorged November 2012::

The NV Bruno Paillard Champagne Brut Premiere Cuvée is medium (-) yellow in colour with rather fine bubbles. The slightly oxidative nose opens up to pine nuts, walnuts, ash, orange peels, apricots and ripe melons. On the palate, an initial burst of fruit flavours such as lime skin, lemon peels, passionfruit and apricots before progressing to a palate profile of ashes and pine nuts. There's also a noticeable underlying acidity.

Good drive before ending with a burst of lemon squash. Good acidity with refreshing clean cut and crisp, medium-length finish. Pretty low dosage at 6g per litre of sugar.

The 2004 Bruno Paillard Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut is medium (-) lemon yellow in colour with a tinge of lime green and very fine, calm, gentle bubbles. A rather tight nose of honeydew, honeysuckle, pears and underlying apricots and almonds. On the palate, the rather focused entry starts linear before broadening out to honeydew, fresh flowers, sliced pears and slight ash. A rising back-end acidity on its finish.

Quite a good structure, but again, too young to tell - Hence, having the elements to not be too well in place for now. I can't put a definite rating for now as it was served rather cold, tight and muted unfortunately.

The 2004 Bruno Paillard Champagne Assemblage Brut is pale lemon yellow in colour with a nose of slight rubber, green mangoes, dried apricots, slight coconuts, butter scotch and caramel. A rather integrated nose for sure, but a tad bit tight for now. On the palate, the wine boasts of green mangoes before progressing to fresh coconuts with underlying caramel flavours. Absolutely round entry that persists to the finish with an underlying acidity.

A medium (+) finish of lime and fresh lemon zest. Superb now with many years ahead. Good weight and balance for sure.Might be a tad bit young to approach now. (90-93)

::Aged 12 years in lees. Only 10,000 bottles produced::

The 1999 Bruno Paillard Champagne Nec Plus Ultra is medium(+) gold in colour with very little, almost non-existent, bubbles. An expressive nose of nectarines, honeysuckle, boiled chrysanthemum, wet rocks, white melons, unripe pears with underlying kerosene and nuttiness. A rather layered nose with good integration of aromas.

On the palate, the Champagne elegantly displays an excellent, smooth entry that is beautifully round yet well focused. An entry of pears, nectarine, chrysanthemum and underlying kerosene, mixed nuts with subtle but commendable acidity that cleverly lifts the flavours and surprises the palate. Very soft and graceful, yet powers through to a long persistent finish with good noticeable minerality. Definitely some complexity there that almost reminds one of a well-made Burgundy.