2004 Bruno Paillard Brut Millesime Assemblage, Cote des Blancs, Reims, Champagne

48% Chardonnay, 52% Pinot Noir, sourced from 9 of the best terroirs in the heart of Champagne; 100% Cote des Blancs with 40% les Mesnil and 40% Oger; 9 years on leese; extra Brut, very low dosage: 5g/L.

Testimony to the heights of Bruno Paillard’s fruit sources and long aging, this is a wine of allure, finesse, elegance and grand persistence.

The ‘Assemblage’ is straw gold with amber lights, bright and joyful effervescence. Vivacious and precise at first, progressively affirming an ample and complex structure. Young and tender fruity aromas—blackcurrant, wild blackberry and very ripe morello cherry—melded with vigorous freshly crushed citrus fruits. Finally with discrete notes of vanilla, quince and acacia honey. On the palate it is full and restrained at the same time, wrapped in the supple flavours of ripe fruits with spicy notes: cinnamon, cedar wood and roasted walnuts. The finish has a zest of candied quince, subtle and long.