Price: $200.00
Sale Price: $155.00
Wine Advocate: 92 Points
Defined by its south-facing exposition and the warmth of the growing season Paillard's old-vine Chardonnay the 2019 Blanc de Blancs Bouzy Grand Cru Les Mottelettes is a muscular broad-shouldered and powerful expression of its place. Sourced from a parcel planted in 1960 with shallow topsoil of just 40 centimeters it jumps from the glass with aromas of dried white flowers succulent pear and warm bread. Full-bodied and enveloping it possesses an expansive mid-palate and ripe yet vibrant acidity. Distinctly opulent it is a wine of unmistakable identity likely to stand out in a blind tasting among Côte des Blancs counterparts. It was disgorged in January 2024 with a dosage of three grams per liter. This important grower-bottler is based in the tranquil village of Bouzy nestled within the Montagne de Reims. The family?s viticultural heritage spans eight generations yet it was only in 1946 that Pierre Paillard took the step of vinifying his own wines ceasing the longstanding practice of selling their fruit to the local cooperative. The estate?s modern renaissance began in 2008 with the arrival of Pierre?s grandson Antoine Paillard who joined his father Benoît in the winery. Antoine assumed full responsibility for vinification in 2016 and in 2018 his brother Quentin entered the fold ushering in a new chapter of refinement. The domaine?s 30 plots extending across 11 hectares are planted predominantly with Pinot Noir (80%) complemented by 20% Chardonnay primarily massal selections. The vineyards are conscientiously plowed and since 2008 the estate has adhered to a chemical-free regimen save for essential mildew treatments?an approach shared by many in the region. In the cellar fermentation is initiated by native yeasts though selected yeasts are employed for the prise de mousse. Sulfites are added during pressing and if necessary after malolactic fermentation. Élevage spans nine months in 350- and 600-liter barrels sourced primarily from coopers such as Cavin Chassin François Frères and Atelier Centre France with 5% to 10% of the barrels refreshed annually. Dosage is low typically ranging between zero and three grams per liter. Bouzy?s predominantly south-facing slopes yield wines of commanding presence?expansive and full-bodied yet harmoniously counterbalanced by a chalky extract that imparts both structure and an invigorating sense of freshness. ?The chalk lies relatively close to the surface between 50 and 100 centimeters beneath the clay-limestone topsoil. With carefully managed yields and meticulous farming we achieve full ripeness without compromising freshness? explains Antoine Paillard. A significant evolution for the estate came in 2018 when the brothers expanded their scope beyond Bouzy vinifying wines from other villages. In addition to Bouzy their portfolio now includes cuvées from Verzenay Ludes and Taissy with forthcoming releases from Ambonnay and Verzy. Though they do not farm vineyards outside their ownership (which remains exclusive to Bouzy) they maintain full control over harvest timing and it is their team that picks the grapes. The wines from Verzenay and Verzy in particular offer a more vibrant brighter profile due to their predominantly north-facing slopes?an increasingly compelling attribute in the context of Champagne?s warming climate. The style here is charming and succulent yet precise?melding power with ample structuring extract that imparts a sense of freshness. That said certain cuvées reveal a more ample broad-shouldered character than others. Published: May 08 2025
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