Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

A cuvée I have not opened in quite awhile. Found some 375ml’s and since it was one of the few 375ml Extra Brut’s available, easy to grab a few. Enjoy this cuvée from Bouzy.

The is 80% Pinot Noir & 20% Chardonnay. Disgorged 1/23 @ 1g, making it technically a Nature on the champagne sweetness scale. For its quality, still nicely priced with ever increasing champagne pricing.

The nose reveals; ripe & macerated yellow & white stone fruits-apricots, peach, vanillin, notes of honey. Marmalade fruits, melange of white citrus’s, lime zest, very ripe pineapple, orange/tangerine blend, raspberry tones, cream, almonds with skins, brioche, baguette crust, yeasty bread dough, toast with a little butter, saline, sea shells, limestone, chalk, yellow lilies and withering white spring flowers.

The mousse is pleasant, creamy, theirs a ripe richness in the fruits. Macerated yellow & white stone fruits-apricots, peach, mango, vanillin, notes of honey. Marmalade fruits, melange of white citrus’s-Meyer lemon lead, lime zest, very ripe pineapple, orange/tangerine blend, raspberry tones, cream, soft, chewy, warm, caramel, almonds with skins, brioche, baguette crust, yeasty bread dough, toast with a little butter, white spice, dry twig, saline, powdered sea fossils, limestone/chalk powder, grey volcanic minerals, used oak tones with withering yellow lilies and withering white spring florals. Lively, crisp, rainfall acidity and a well; knitted, balanced, toned, elegant finish with smart and not overly polished finish that lasts 90 seconds and lands on an even blend of stone fruits, citruses and volcanic minerals.

Photos of; the champagne house of Pierre Paillard and owner/winemaker-Quentin Paillard. — 2 days ago

Ericsson

9.2

First time tasting this. Thought it was outstanding. — 3 months ago

Zach D

9.5

My first of the 2023’s. Really spectacular. Pours a medium yellow with some viscosity. On the nose such purity. Lemon pith, white flowers, mixed citrus, high toned and pure, the palate is silky like crème brûlée but with a lightness; beautiful oak framing. I think I’m a Brissett junky. The winemaking highlights everything I love about Chardonnay. @Lyle Fass — 2 months ago

Gilbert Van Hassel

9.5

Crisp, pear and honey. Long burn. — a month ago

Bijan Shahvali

9.0

Thought it paired really nicely with lamb dish I ordered and Zoe’s peppercorn duck dish — a month ago

Doug Powers

9.3

Fascinating, after my recent run of so-so to DNPIM (do not put in mouth) CdPs from 25 or so years of age, here’s a “basic cuvée” of CdP (think $18-20 bottle on release) that is punching far above its weight, red fruits, very fine CdP that is drinking great now, long, lingering finish, and shows promise for another 3-5 years of aging!! — 2 months ago

with Jim

Ron Siegel

9.3

Delicious as always! Quickly drained — 24 days ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.1

Medium deep ruby garnet , with quite narrow garnet rim . This is quite closed at first , with some dusty , mineral , seaside hints . Cassis , cedar , blackberry , charcoal and a touch of toasty oak . On the palate this is again quite four square and serious , dusty blackberry , cassis, cedar , grafite . Quite linear in style , fresh acidity and quite fine but noticable tannin . A lightly saline , grafite tinged medium length finish . This is drinking well at the moment , quite classic in style but with enough polish and mid palate . Will probably continue to show well over the next 5-10 years . — 2 months ago

RustyR

9.4

JG. M. Open good — 2 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2023 pours a ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with an explosion of smoked blackberry pie, purple flowers, bacon fat, olive, black pepper, and subtle warm spices. On the palate the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose however, the wine finishes much more elegant than the nose would suggest. The bouquet might lead one to think this is possibly over the top. However, on the palate, it was far more elegant. Another vintage, another stunning Gonon. Drink now through 2043. — 3 months ago