Bruno Paillard : Blanc de Blancs 2006

The 2006 Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut (Disgorged September 2015) has a golden-yellow color and opens with an intensely fruity bouquet that is rich but also pure and complex, with peach, ripe banana and whole grain flavors as well as emerging iodine notes. This is a round, rich, mouth-filling and voluptuous yet elegant and mineral Chardonnay with fine tannins and lingering salinity with biscuit flavors. Kept more than eight years on the lees in bottle, this is a terribly fresh and stunningly fine Champagne that is a great pleasure to drink drink today due to its delicacy and freshness. However, you can also keep it in a cool, dark cellar for at least two decades.

Honey, pastry dough and spice accents lace the patisserie plum and pear fruit in this rich Champagne, while vibrant acidity and a lacy mousse carry the flavor range to a long, zesty finish. Drink now through 2026.

Paillard's crispest Chardonnay comes mainly from the Côte des Blancs. Offering great white fruit and bright apple flavors, this wine is also textured and mineral. It is beginning to mature, suggesting a touch of toastiness while the fruit remains. It finishes dry. Drink the wine now.

This has plenty of weight and richness for the cépage and vintage. Some grilled lemon meringue and spiced almond nougat on the nose. The palate has a neat core of yellow grapefruit and subtly biscuity savory complexity through the finish. Drink now.

The 2006 Extra Brut Blanc de Blancs is a powerful, intense wine that captures all the personality of the year in its broad, virile feel. This is an especially deep, masculine Blanc de Blancs with enough intensity to pair with just about anything. Readers should expect an explosive, authoritative style. Disgorged March 2015.

The Blanc de Blancs 2006 shows a creamy, rounded, generous profile.

The nose reveals notes of lime zest, citrus fruit and citrus pith, alongside hints of green peach, delicate floral notes, beeswax and a very subtle touch of spice in the background. The palate is fruity and well-balanced, offering minerality and freshness. The effervescence is fine, lively and indulgent, with a delicate creaminess. On the palate, this Champagne shows notes of white nectarine, crunchy pear and, more lightly, lime, joined by small touches of citrus and a very fine hint of citrus pith, mandarin, crunchy nectarine and a very subtle touch of beeswax. Good length.