Intense, bright, straw gold. Very fine and persistent effervescence. 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. 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.
There are more than 30 crus of the finest terroir of Champagne in the blend, the composition of which is a house secret. Exceptionally high for Champagne, the “reserve wines” account for half of the blend. They are the other essential player in the D : Z cuvée. Some of these wines underwent their first fermentation in barrel. They were then kept in stainless steel, and for some of them for more than 10 years in bottle, resulting in an intensified autolysis. Ageing is far longer than the legal requirement: three to four years in bottle “sur lies”, followed by six months rest after disgorgement.
94 Points, Wine & Spirits
This is a fascinating wine, the most vinous of Paillard’s current releases, offering quiet scents of fresh pear, dried caramel and honeycomb without any hint of sweetness. While Champagne without dosage can sometimes be aggressive in its textures or flavors, this one is delicate. The wine’s stamina seems to grow out of its rich flavor depth, extending into a luscious texture and compelling persistence.
