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2003 Bruno Paillard Nec Plus Ultra Extra Brut, Cote des Blancs, Champagne

A$366.45
Availability: Out of stock
SKU
BPNPUEXB03
96

The newly released 2003 NPU Nec Plus Ultra is only the fifth edition since 1990. The ambitious prestige cuvée from Bruno Paillard is only produced in great vintages (so far 1990, 1995, 1996, 1999 and 2003), and only from grand cru villages grapes; the ratio is always 50/50 Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The first fermentation of the must (only the tête de cuve is used, but that's how it is in all the other BP cuvées) takes place in small oak barrels, where the wine spends ten months. No less than ten years have to pass by until the wine is disgorged as Extra Brut (there is three grams of dosage) and kept in the cellar for another year. This 2003 was disgorged in March 2015. Total production is 4,200 bottles. The wine has an intense yellow-golden color. It is very intense, rich and complex on the beautifully matured nose, where a bouquet of yellow and dried fruit aromas, along with Turkish honey, pistachio, almonds and torrone is displayed. Pure, fresh and mineral on the palate, this 2003 has lots of energy and finesse, is full of tension and develops a very persistent length. A fascinating, atypical 2003 vintage Champagne from that extremely dry and hot year.

Founded in 1981 and entirely owned by Bruno Paillard, Champagne Bruno Paillard is one of the shooting stars of the younger history in Champagne. His clear and refreshing Extra Bruts are as elegant as they are complex, with silky textured purity and mineral energy in light and smooth effervescence. Bruno Paillard Champagnes are based on more than 60% of estate vineyards, which make up for 32 hectares - respectively 90 climats in 14 different villages in the heart of Champagne. (Ninety is a rather small figure if you know that Champagne's total of 34,000 hectares adds up to 300,000 plots.) Paillard does not use any herbicides or pesticides, plows the soils (which are analyzed every three years), and aims for vivid soils and deep vine roots to strengthen their resistance and get more minerality in his wines. These are of excellent, if not outstanding quality. The NPU is what Bruno Paillard calls "the greatest possible Champagne." Indeed, it is produced only in the greatest vintages and although dry and hot 2003 has never been mentioned among the best Paillards, 2003 NPU is probably one of the greatest Champagnes of this difficult vintage. Other highlights of the program are the newest release of the artist edition Assemblage (2008) and the NV Blanc de Blanc Grand Cru.

96 points Stephan Reinhardt robertparker.com June 2016


More Information
Product/Service Sold Out Yes
En Primeur No
New Arrivals No
Wine Type Champagne/Sparkling
Wine Style Traditional
Country France
Region Cote des Blancs
Varietals Chardonnay, Pinot Noir
Vintage 2003
Bottle Size 750ml
Wine Points 96
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