Bruno Paillard : Le Mesnil 2021

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for Mesnil 2021 by Bruno Paillard

Tasting Notes

Appearance
A deep yet radiant golden-yellow hue.

Nose
The bouquet opens with saline, iodized notes, intertwined with aromas of white peach and pink grapefruit. Subtle hints of fresh almond, white pepper and star anise add further depth to this olfactory palette.

Palate
Refreshing and full of energy, the palate reveals precise fruit character. It stands out for its persistent salinity, which carries the wine towards a remarkably long finish, true to its chalky terroir.

Food and Wine Pairing

This cuvée pairs perfectly with oysters, a seafood platter or shellfish.

Serving and Cellaring

To fully appreciate the complexity of Le Mesnil 2021, it is recommended to aerate it beforehand and serve it at a temperature between 10 and 12°C, ideally in a large Burgundy-style glass.

The Pure, Chalky Expression of a Coteaux Champenois Grand Cru by Bruno Paillard

The Estate

Founded in January 1981 in Reims by Bruno Paillard, this Champagne house stands out for its independence and truly family-run character. Although its founder comes from a long-established Champagne lineage, the house remains one of the youngest in the region. Today, Alice Paillard runs the estate while her father serves as its chairman. Certified for its sustainable viticulture, the estate is committed to producing pure, lightly dosed wines that reflect the chalky identity of its terroirs through cuvées of remarkable precision.

The Vineyard

This Coteaux Champenois comes exclusively from the grand cru vineyard of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, located on the Côte des Blancs. The old vines, planted midway up the slope on deep chalk soil, are deliberately kept to low yields. Vineyard management follows strict sustainable principles, with no use of herbicides or pesticides. Light soil cultivation encourages vertical root growth, allowing the vines to draw out all the minerality of the terroir.

Winemaking and Ageing

The making of Mesnil 2021 begins with a slow, gentle pressing, from which only the first-press juice is kept. Fermentation takes place in small used oak barrels that have already held several wines, followed by ageing in barrel for around nine months. The wine then continues to mature in bottle for a further two years before release.

Grape Variety
Chardonnay.