Pierre Paillard Verzenay Veilles Vignes Grand Cru Extra Brut, Champagne, France 2019

Pierre Paillard’s 2019 Verzenay Vieilles Vignes Grand Cru Extra Brut is a precise and captivating Blanc de Noirs that highlights the depth of old-vine Pinot Noir from the cool, chalk-rich slopes of Verzenay. Fermented and aged in barrel with a very low dosage, it delivers a focused, mineral-driven style, opening with aromas of citrus zest, pear, and subtle dried apricot layered over gentle brioche notes. The palate is tense and finely structured, balancing concentrated fruit with bright acidity and a saline, chalky edge that extends the finish. Elegant yet powerful, this is a refined, terroir-expressive Champagne built for both immediate pleasure and graceful short-term aging.

" Among the most compelling wines in Paillard's cellar this year, the 2019 Verzenay Grand Cru is sourced from two lieux-dits in north-facing slopes—vineyards that, as Antoine Paillard notes, are the last they harvest. Structured yet focused, it unites the cool personality of its exposition with the maturity of the vintage, offering up notes of pear, orange zest and dried apricot, mingling with sweet citrus fruit. On the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, ample and concentrated, laden with tangy acidity and with bitter structuring phenolics that assert themselves on the long, saline finish. Compared to Bouzy’s typically more expansive bottlings, this is notably more controlled. It was disgorged in December 2023 with a dosage of two grams per liter." Wine Advocate 94