Bruno Paillard : Mailly 2020

Tasting characteristics and advice for Bruno Paillard Mailly 2020

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a pale, bright golden hue, reflecting the purity of the terroir and the delicacy brought to the winemaking.

Nose

The nose reveals a crystalline expression dominated by fresh lemon and white peach. Intense mineral notes evoke chalk dust, flint and crushed oyster shell. A subtle touch of blackcurrant and a floral freshness complete this aromatic profile.

Palate

The attack is linear and slender, with pronounced saline minerality balanced by delicate notes of lemon blossom. The structure remains airy while retaining lovely density. Flavors recall peeled red apple and a very gentle bitterness on the finish. The length is taut, with a subtle echo of Pinot Noir depth and notes of almond skin in retronasal aromas. The wine unveils its complexity progressively.

Food and wine pairings

This wine is a perfect match for tuna tartare with avocado, king crab with lemon beurre blanc, grilled leeks with miso sauce, or poultry with white wine and tarragon. It also pairs beautifully with crostini topped with fresh goat cheese and honey, as well as refined sushi.

Serving and cellaring

Mailly 2020 is ideally enjoyed at a temperature between 10 and 12°C. This still wine will benefit from being served in Burgundy-style white wine glasses to fully reveal its aromatic complexity.

An exceptional white Coteaux Champenois by Bruno Paillard

The estate

Founded in 1981 in Reims, Bruno Paillard is a family-owned, independent house born of the boldness of Bruno Paillard, then 27 years old. The estate became rooted in the vineyard starting in 1994, with 25 hectares in Champagne now covering more than 50% of its grape needs. Current owner and main shareholder, Bruno Paillard is supporting the transition alongside Alice Paillard, Chief Executive Officer since 2018.

The vineyard

This white Coteaux Champenois comes from the exceptional terroir of Mailly-Champagne, classified as Grand Cru on the Montagne de Reims. The chalky soils characteristic of this area give the wine its intense minerality and purity of expression. The Mailly terroir benefits from a privileged exposure that allows optimal ripening of the Pinot Noir.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage in Champagne was marked by favorable weather conditions. After a mild winter, spring brought early budbreak. The sunny summer and ideal autumn conditions encouraged harmonious ripening of the grapes, making it possible to obtain fruit of great aromatic quality and remarkable balance.

Winemaking and aging

Mailly 2020 is vinified according to an extremely rare method: Pinot Noir from the Grands Crus of the Montagne de Reims is made as a white wine without maceration, with extreme delicacy to preserve only the juice. This approach yields a still wine without effervescence, produced in very small quantities, making each bottle a true collector’s piece.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay.