Vintus

Made only in the best vintages, this cuvee is made from a selection of grapes from fourteen crus in the Marne. As always at Bruno Paillard, only the first pressing has been used. For the 1999 vintage, the proportion of grapes varieties that make up the blend is 29% Chardonnay, 42% Pinot Noir, and 29% Pinot Meunier. Since he established the house, Bruno Paillard has produced vintages with very different personalities that he has personally selected. In order to illustrate this diversity, he commissioned works from contemporary artists inspired by the wine in order to personalize each vintage with a compatible theme. This philosophy has been maintained since the first vintage in1981. Thus, Bruno Paillard strives to elaborate a different blend for each vintage, concentrating on the special interest of each year. The result can be a 100% Chardonnay Champagne like the Blanc de Blancs 1983 or the 100% Pinot Noir Blanc de Noirs 1981.

In 1999 the gentle winter was followed by constant heat throughout the summer, and slightly higher than average rainfall; hence the theme of tumultuous and flamboyant in the painting on the bottle. Aromas of ripe fruit come to the fore on the nose, dominated by citrus notes. Then hints of red fruits gently appear, and after a few minutes in the glass notes of honey develop and enhance the generous and warm personality of this wine. On the palate, the first impression combines freshness and length. Fruit and spicy notes are well balanced. Freshness, ampleness and length characterize this 1999 vintage.

Brut Millésime 1999 Reviews:

“Scents of fresh apple and headier notes of herbal tea combine in a complex wine, still youthfully tense and needing further age. The structure is crisply delimited and firm. For the cellar.” 92 Wine & Spirits, December 2008

“A complex bouquet offers floral honey, ripe pear, fresh flowers and musky lees. Orange and pear flavors boasts good depth and are gently lifted by smoky minerals. Finishes smooth and persistent, with a tangy note of Meyer lemon. This wine's energy sneaks up on you.” 90 International Wine Cellar, November/December 2008

Brut Millésime 1996 Reviews:

“This bottle was disgorged in July 1995, allowing nine years of aging. It is a very ripe, soft wine, delicate but still underlain with some of the steely, mineral character of the 1996 vintage. Delicious now, but it will certainly age over the next five years.” 93 Wine Enthusiast, November 2006

“Bright gold. Deep, toasty aromas of apple and pear liqueur, enriched by toffee, honey and iodine accents. Full on the palate, with very ripe orchard fruit flavors and a deep undercurrent of smoke, caramel and toffee. Powerful, rich and long on the finish.” 92 Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar, Nov/Dec 2006