APPEARANCE
A well-balanced version, clean-cut and chalky, with a subtle mesh of Asian pear, preserved lemon, dried white cherry and salted almond.
The minerally underpinning drives the spiced finish. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Disgorged April 2020. Drink now.
Wine Spectator
Symbol of the search for purity, energy and harmony, playing with the pitfall of hardness that our sometimes austere terroir can induce if one is not patient enough…
Selection of the first press of the three grape varieties, for the majority vinified in small oak barrels. The blend is dominated by the terroirs of the northern part of the Montagne de Reims and the first kilometers of the right bank of the Marne Valley for the Pinot Meunier (50%), followed by Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in equal parts.
Exceptionally in Champagne, the reserve wines count for half in the assembly.
Aged for 3 to 4 years on lees followed by 6 months minimum after disgorgement. Dosage: zero.
THE BLEND
50% PINOT MEUNIER
25% CHARDONNAY
25% PINOT NOIR
AGEING
3 TO 4 YEARS ON LEES
6 MONTHS MINIMUM AFTER DISGORGEMENT
AVAILABILITY
75 cl
TASTING NOTES
Intense, bright, straw gold. Very fine and persistent effervescence.
NOSE
Primary notes of white fruits and fresh almond, generous but not opulent. This is followed by aromas of chocolate and toast with fresh raspberry, star anise and candied chestnuts.
PALATE
The attack is both lively and rich, blossoming generously on the palate. The same aromatic richness promised on the nose is found on the palate. Texture is both animated and chiselled, with saline notes, and a very long, persistent finish.
THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT IT ...
“Belle couleur brillante et très fines bulles pour cette cuvée sans dosage qui bénéficie des vins de réserve élevés sous bois. Le nez est à la fois fin et gourmand avec des notes parfaites de poire et de raisin frais. La bouche est à l’avenant, fine et tonique, dotée d’une bulle millimétrée qui accompagne jusque dans la finale crayeuse et saline. Superbe.”
Gault et Millau 2022 – 17/20
“Disgorged in April 2020, the latest rendition of Paillard’s NV Dosage Zéro delivers aromas of ripe citrus fruits, yellow orchard fruit, fresh bread and beeswax. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy but incisive, it’s fine-boned, dry and chalky, with a pinpoint mousse and a saline finish. This is a comparatively open, giving Dosage Zéro that’s drinking well out of the gates. Drink date 2021-2027.”
Robert Parker Wine Advocate – 90/100
“Dried apricot, pastries, chalk, lemon and white grapefruit on the nose. It’s medium-bodied with crisp acidity and a linear, dry and focused palate. Fine bubbles. Drink now.”
JamesSuckling.com – 91/100
