Bruno Paillard Assemblage 2004 and Blanc de Blancs 2004

Champagne Bruno Paillard Assemblage 2004 and Blanc de Blancs 2004. Hailed a “remarkable vintage” by owner, Bruno Paillard, 2004 was a year which was typified by richness, following a near-perfect growing season.

The Assemblage 2004 is a blend of nine villages from the region – the proportions of which are a house secret – with a split of Pinot Noir (52%) and Chardonnay (48%).  Nine years cellar ageing has produced a wine with developed candied fruit aromas, raspberry, wild blackberries, honey and gingerbread.

The 2004 Blanc de Blancs has been produced exclusively from first pressings from the best vineyards in the heart of “Côte des Blancs” where Bruno Paillard owns superb vineyards.  The wine has spent over eight years ageing on the lees, resulting in a very pure Champagne with great finesse and balance between candied citrus fruits and light buttery notes.

As for the “Assemblage”, dosage is very low at only 5g/l. Disgorgement, which is indicated on the back label, was in 2012 for the Assemblage and 2013 for the Blanc de Blancs, and the wines have spent 12 and six months, respectively, resting in the cellars for a post-dégorgement “recovery rest” prior to shipment.

As with all Bruno Paillard vintage Champagnes, renowned artists were selected to create the labels: Armenian artist Arthur Djoroukhian illustrated the 2004 Assemblage label, working with the theme, “Harmony, Symphony”; and to illustrate the 2004 Blanc de Blancs, Chinese artist Chen Jiang Hong worked on the theme “Childhood dreams” using a traditional technique with Indian ink, on rice paper.

As always at Maison Bruno Paillard, both 2004’s will be targeted at high end restaurants and selected independent merchants and luxury stores, via UK agent, Bibendum. The Assemblage has an RRSP of £70 (75cl) and the Blanc de Blancs has an RRSP of £72 (75cl).

2004 Assemblage: 17,386 bottles, 978 Magnums and 100 Jeroboams have been produced.

2004 Blanc de Blancs: 13,500 bottles have been produced.

Shared by Sally Bishop

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