By: AJ McClellan
Yesterday we tasted a great trio of grower champagne. We started with the NV Pierre Paillard, cousin of Bruno Paillard these wines are absolutely stunning! Very aromatic with blooming flowers and citrus fruit on the nose. The palate of the Paillard was crisp with high acidity and creamy lemon/lime.
Next in the lineup was the 2008 Chartogne Taillet Barres. This grower champagne is interestingly aged in aged barrels procured from Anne Gros. The wine is powerful on the palate making me think of a red wine more than a white. Loads of brioche show backed by a light key lime pie and skinned red cherries.
Last up on our Champagne campaign was the 2009 Jean Milan Cerres de Noel. This 100% chardonnay bottle of bubbles was showing some lovely earthy nuances of fresh forest floor and musty fruit. Freshly squeezed lemonade stood out on the finish of the palate giving the wine a very pleasant end note. The wine was a little too round for me out of the gate but with some time in the glass it opened up some. I think with a few more years on its side this wine will be tremendous!