New York, NY, May 25, 2023 — The new 2013 vintage Champagne Bruno Paillard Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs (SRP $135, bottle shot attached), from one of Champagne’s few remaining independent, family-owned maisons, has landed in the U.S.
Within Champagne, 2013 has become known as the “slow motion” vintage. Cold, wet, humid weather, with winter temperatures 2.3 degrees lower than the 10-year average, led to delayed budding and flowering. These conditions, combined with Champagne’s famously poor soils, resulted in higher levels of acidity. Only in August did the vines start to catch up; thus, where 2013 champagnes are concerned, the big winner was Chardonnay, picked first during the rain-free Indian summer at the start of the harvest.
Champagne Bruno Paillard Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut 2013 is made entirely from the first, purest pressing –the first 16 oz. of juice extracted from 2.2 lbs. of grapes. The 100% Grand Cru Chardonnay grapes are from the heart of the Côte des Blancs, Oger, and Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. Twenty five percent of the grapes are vinified in old barriques, followed by seven years’ aging in the cellar, and a further 12-18 months’ rest post-disgorgement, prior to release. In line with the Bruno Paillard house style, the dosage is Extra Brut, at 4.5g/L.
Alice Paillard describes the 2013 Blanc de Blancs as “chiseled, with a crystalline freshness.” Primary notes of cooled ashes and white flowers open slowly to reveal white peach, lemon verbena and fresh almond. An almost minty freshness on the palate is balanced by the slightly fleshy fruitiness of plums, followed by roasted hazelnuts.
Label artwork, entitled “Liberté” by French artist Anne Commet, translates onto paper the personality of the wine: joyful, free, open, lively.
Champagne Bruno Paillard Blanc de Bancs 2013 / SRP $135
Imported by Massanois Imports, NY, and Serendipity Wines, TX
Available: CA, CT, FL, KY, MA, MI, NH, NJ, NY, OH, TX
Champagne Bruno Paillard
When Alice Paillard took over at Champagne Bruno Paillard in 2018, she became part of a small but elite cadre of influential women historically responsible for managing the destiny of a top-flight Champagne house. Champagne Bruno Paillard is today one of Champagne’s few remaining independent, family-owned maisons. Vineyards comprise a combined 79 acres; close to half are Grand Cru, accounting for 50% of production. Founded in 1981, Bruno Paillard is one of the newer houses in Champagne. Despite its youthful status, it is credited with assembling some of the oldest stocks of reserve wines in Champagne. Low dosage and prolonged aging prior to release are hallmarks of champagnes from Bruno Paillard, also known for their classic elegance, finesse and underlying minerality.
