Pierre Paillard

Two brothers, Antoine and Quentin Paillard run what is now an 8th generation Champagne house in the village of Bouzy, smack dab in the middle of Champagne's Pinot Noir heaven. Since they took over together in 2016, the duo has done nothing but intensify the focus in the vineyard, generating incredible results in the fruit quality through lowering yields and aiming for perfect ripeness. 

One of - if not the - greatest villages for Pinot Noir in Champagne, Bouzy is home to a deep chalky bedrock with varied types of clay that support great texture and depth in the grapes. In addition to crafting tremendously complex and flavorful Champagnes from their terroir, the Paillard brothers will continue to honor the family tradition and craft a Coteaux Champenois Rouge, which is one of the great examples of the region's potential for still wines.

Each plot of the domaine is harvested and vinified separately, a slow fermentation within oak barrels. These are points of emphasis as the brothers feel that a slower fermentation allows for greater flavor and texture development, and the process is allowed to proceed naturally through full malo-lactic conversion. All wines will age on the lees in bottle for at least an additional 3 years with up to 10 for the Grande Recolte; Parcelles and Terres Rosé will go through secondary fermentation under crown cap while the other wines will do so under cork. 

"I used to buy these wines for a song back in the day and the prices have gone up a touch but considering the primo Grand Cru fruit quality, I think they're a steal! The sleeper in the lineup is certainly "Les Terres Roses XVIII, Extra Brut Rosé, Bouzy Grand Cru", which has 5% Coteaux in the mix... resulting in a haunting, herbaceous and sappy persistence on the palate. One night we had the Rosé next to Prevost's Fac-Simile and '08 Dom Rosé and it held its own!" - John Cerasulo