A distinguished grower-producer based in Bouzy, Pierre Paillard is renowned for precise, expressive Champagnes that embody their exceptional Grand Cru terroir. The domaine has been family-run for eight generations, combining traditional methods with sustainable practices to produce authentic wines with exceptional depth.
• WINEMAKER: Antoine and Quentin Paillard
• FARMING: Sustainable viticulture, practicing organic (not certified)
• VARIETY: 70% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay
• TERROIR: Grand Cru vineyards located in Bouzy, characterized by chalk-rich soils, gentle slopes, and an ideal southeastern exposure, promoting optimal ripening and minerality.
• VINIFICATION: Native yeast fermentation in stainless steel tanks; partial malolactic fermentation.
• AGING: Aged 36 months on lees in bottle prior to disgorgement; Extra Brut dosage (low dosage).
• TASTING NOTES: Bright and focused, with aromas of crisp apple, white peach, and citrus zest, underscored by brioche, almond, and chalky minerality. The palate is vibrant, precise, and fresh, with fine bubbles and persistent acidity.
• FOOD PAIRINGS: Oysters, sushi, smoked salmon blinis, soft cheeses, fried chicken.
• SCORES: 92 points (Wine Advocate), 92 points (Vinous), 91 points (Wine Spectator)
From Our 2025 Bottle Cult Notes:
At the foot of the Montagne de Reims, in the Grand Cru village of Bouzy, the Paillard family has been tending vines since 1799. Today, brothers Antoine and Quentin Paillard carry that legacy forward with a focus on precision, transparency, and sustainability. Their “Les Parcelles” cuvée is a snapshot of place—a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay sourced entirely from estate vineyards in Bouzy, one of Champagne’s warmest and most expressive terroirs. Farming is organic, harvests are by hand, the ferments are native and the wine is aged on its lees for an extended period, enhancing its power and expression.
Champagne’s magic lies in its soils and subsoils—deep layers of chalk, limestone, marl, and clay that act like a sponge, storing moisture and reflecting light and heat to the vines above. Among the region’s key growing areas, the Montagne de Reims stands out for its elevated slopes and cool forested microclimates, which help preserve acidity while encouraging slow, even ripening. Bouzy, where Pierre Paillard is based, sits on the south-facing side of this ridge, soaking up the sun and producing some of the ripest, most powerful Pinot Noir in the region. It’s this tension—between intensity and freshness, power and finesse—that makes Bouzy Pinot so prized, and so central to the identity of Les Parcelles.
Les Parcelles ‘XIX’ refers to the base vintage—here, 2019—supplemented with reserve wines from a solera that dates back to 1996. The cuvée is 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay, fermented in stainless steel and bottled with an extra brut dosage of just 1.8g/L. The approach here is all about clarity: letting the deep chalk and clay soils of Bouzy speak through the fruit, structure, and minerality. Extended lees aging adds texture and depth without muting the wine’s natural energy.
In the glass, this wine walks a beautiful line between generosity and precision. There’s ripe orchard fruit—yellow apple, pear, a little baked quince—framed by zesty citrus and chalky lift. Fine bubbles and a dry, clean finish give it an edge that makes it as appropriate at the start of a meal as it is with richer dishes. This is Champagne with soul: elegant, rooted, and quietly complex. Pair it with nearly anything —fried chicken is a personal favorite! —Simi Grewal, DECANT Co-Founder