Bruno Paillard N.P.U. NEC Plus Ultra

Bruno Paillard N.P.U. NEC Plus Ultra

$420.00
6 + $378.00 each
12 + $350.70 each
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Quantity  
1
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Vintage

1999

Size

750ml

Country

France

Region

Champagne

Description

N.P.U. was been born from the desire to create the greatest Champagne possible. Waiting for an exceptional vintage, Bruno Paillard chose to make the first vintage in 1990. The grapes selected for N.P.U. were hand picked from 100%-rated Grand Cru villages, and as with all Bruno Paillard wines, only the first pressing was used. An essential difference with the N.P.U. Cuvée is that the wine is fermented in small oak barrels, where it is rested for a further 9 months. During this period, each cru asserted its complexity and gained those slightly oaky aromas that prevailed in Champagne wines long ago

Very elegant, favoring form over flavor, with well-cut acidity and a texture like fine silk. This offers lasting, finely woven notes of quince paste, black currant, lightly toasted almond, dried pineapple and fleur de sel. 93 points - Wine Spectator

A British journalist, during a conversation in the mid eighties, told Bruno, 'we love your brut but you need to make a special cuvée'. Made only from grand cru vineyards (Bouzy, Verzenay, Oger, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger) and only in exceptional years - so far 1990, 1995, 1996 and 1999. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, first pressing only, a mixture of barrel and stainless steel. 12 years on lees. Dosage 4 g/l and then a long post-disgorging ageing to get the balance back - 18 months. Alice Paillard suggests it's a wine that is best given some time in the glass - needs more aeration than the Blanc de Blancs. Golden tinge. Sweeter, deeper, more generous nose than the Blanc de Blancs. Deep and commanding, rich and resonant, like the long low note of a cello. Clove. Orange peel. A radically different wine to the Blanc de Blancs, wearing the patina of time like a burnish. Very leesy and bready and rich. 18/20 Jancis Robinson