Pierre Paillard Bouzy Grand Cru Les Parcelles Champagne – 95 Points James Suckling

95 POINTS JAMES SUCKLING! GRAND CRU BOUZY, EIGHT GENERATIONS OF WINEMAKING AND ONE OF CHAMPAGNE'S MOST EXCITING PINOT NOIR-DRIVEN WINES!

95 Points – JamesSuckling.com

Pierre Paillard Bouzy Grand Cru Les Parcelles Extra Brut NV – Champagne, France

95 Points – JamesSuckling.com

RRP $172 per bottle

If you love exceptional grower Champagne, magnificent Pinot Noir and wines that deliver genuine Grand Cru quality, Pierre Paillard Les Parcelles is a bottle you absolutely need to discover.

This is one seriously impressive Champagne.

Produced by brothers Antoine and Quentin Paillard from their family's historic vineyards in the legendary Grand Cru village of Bouzy, Les Parcelles is a magnificent expression of one of Champagne's greatest Pinot Noir terroirs.

80% Pinot Noir. 20% Chardonnay. 100% Bouzy Grand Cru.

Exceptional chalk-rich vineyards.

Traditional oak fermentation.

Three years ageing on lees.

And an exceptionally restrained Extra Brut dosage.

The result is a Champagne with extraordinary depth, richness and personality, yet remarkable freshness and mineral precision.

And the critics agree.

95 POINTS – JAMES SUCKLING!

This is the kind of Champagne that demonstrates why the finest independent growers are producing some of the most compelling wines in France.

At $172 per bottle, this is a magnificent Champagne for serious wine enthusiasts and an outstanding introduction to the extraordinary wines of Pierre Paillard.

Pierre Paillard – Eight Generations of Champagne History

The Paillard family has been cultivating vineyards in Bouzy for more than 200 years.

Eight generations of winemaking history.

And an extraordinary connection to one of Champagne's most celebrated villages.

The family's modern Champagne estate traces its origins to Pierre Paillard, who established his own pressing facilities in 1946.

Today, brothers Antoine and Quentin Paillard are responsible for taking this historic family estate to extraordinary new heights.

Since assuming leadership of the domaine in 2018, they have continued to refine the family's approach to vineyard management, fermentation and the expression of individual terroirs.

Their philosophy is built around one central principle.

Great Champagne begins with exceptional vineyards.

The family owns approximately 11 hectares in Bouzy, one of the most celebrated Grand Cru villages in the Montagne de Reims.

These are vineyards capable of producing Pinot Noir of extraordinary concentration, complexity and finesse.

And Les Parcelles is the perfect introduction to their remarkable potential.

Bouzy Grand Cru – One of the World's Greatest Pinot Noir Terroirs

Bouzy is one of the legendary villages of Champagne.

Situated on the southern slopes of the Montagne de Reims, it is particularly celebrated for the extraordinary quality of its Pinot Noir.

The vineyards benefit from a magnificent south-facing exposure, allowing the grapes to develop excellent ripeness and concentration.

But what makes Bouzy so special is the combination of ripe fruit and remarkable chalk-rich soils.

The chalk provides the foundation for freshness, structure and mineral precision.

The result is Pinot Noir with an extraordinary combination of power and elegance.

Generous red-fruit character.

Beautiful concentration.

Firm structure.

And remarkable mineral definition.

This is why Bouzy has been celebrated for centuries as one of Champagne's greatest Pinot Noir villages.

And Les Parcelles is designed to capture exactly that character.

Les Parcelles – A Champagne That Celebrates Its Vineyards

The name Les Parcelles translates as the parcels.

And it tells you something fundamental about the wine.

Rather than showcasing a single vineyard, Les Parcelles brings together fruit from selected plots across the family's historic Grand Cru Bouzy holdings.

Each parcel contributes something distinctive.

Some provide richness.

Others contribute freshness.

Some bring beautiful aromatic complexity.

And others deliver the chalky mineral structure that defines great Bouzy Champagne.

The final blend is carefully assembled to express the character of the village.

This is not simply a Champagne made in Bouzy. It is a Champagne designed to taste unmistakably of Bouzy.

80% Pinot Noir – The Extraordinary Power of Bouzy

The blend is dominated by Pinot Noir.

80% Pinot Noir.

And that is fundamental to the wine's personality.

Pinot Noir brings richness, depth and structure.

It contributes the generous red-fruit character that makes Bouzy so celebrated.

Think ripe strawberry.

Red apple.

Delicate cherry.

And subtle savoury spice.

But this is not a heavy or excessively rich Champagne.

The remaining 20% Chardonnay provides beautiful freshness, elegance and precision.

The combination is magnificent.

The power of Pinot Noir.

The finesse of Chardonnay.

And the extraordinary mineral character of Bouzy's chalk-rich soils.

This is exactly what makes Les Parcelles such a compelling Champagne.

The 2022 Base – Extraordinary Purity and Concentration

The 95-point James Suckling review applies to the Les Parcelles XXII release, based on the 2022 harvest.

The blend comprises approximately 80% wine from the principal harvest and 20% reserve wine.

This approach combines the freshness and character of the 2022 growing season with additional depth and complexity from earlier vintages.

The result is a beautifully integrated Champagne.

There is vibrant fruit.

Generous texture.

Remarkable aromatic complexity.

And an exceptionally precise mineral finish.

This is a magnificent demonstration of the extraordinary quality of modern grower Champagne.

Traditional Oak Fermentation – Texture Without Excessive Oak

One of the most fascinating aspects of Pierre Paillard's winemaking is the use of traditional oak vessels.

The base wines undergo fermentation and maturation in oak barrels.

This approach contributes texture, complexity and beautiful integration.

But the intention is not to produce Champagne that tastes heavily of oak.

Instead, the oak allows the wines to develop naturally while preserving the remarkable character of the fruit.

There is beautiful depth.

Subtle savoury complexity.

And a wonderfully harmonious palate.

The result is Champagne with genuine richness and sophistication, without sacrificing freshness.

Three Years on Lees – Extraordinary Depth and Complexity

Following the initial fermentation, Les Parcelles undergoes its second fermentation in bottle.

The Champagne then spends approximately 36 months ageing on its lees.

This extended maturation is essential to the wine's character.

Over time, the interaction between the wine and its lees contributes additional complexity.

Fresh brioche.

Toasted nuts.

Delicate pastry.

Subtle spice.

And a beautifully fine, persistent mousse.

But the fruit remains wonderfully expressive.

This is Champagne that combines the generosity of Bouzy Pinot Noir with the elegance and complexity of traditional bottle maturation.

Extra Brut – Just 3 Grams per Litre Dosage

The 2022-base release reviewed by James Suckling is finished with approximately 3 grams per litre dosage.

This places the wine firmly in the Extra Brut category.

The low dosage allows the natural richness of the Pinot Noir to provide balance.

There is no need for excessive sweetness.

The ripe fruit supplies generosity.

The chalky soils contribute mineral precision.

And the acidity provides beautiful freshness.

The result is a Champagne that is wonderfully dry, beautifully structured and exceptionally satisfying.

A magnificent balance of richness and precision.

Strawberry, Lemon Zest, Clove and Extraordinary Mineral Complexity

The aromatic profile of Les Parcelles is particularly exciting.

James Suckling's 95-point review of the 2022-base release highlights strawberry, lemon rind, iron, clove and rose-leaf characters.

These are fascinating aromas.

The red-fruit character of Pinot Noir.

The citrus freshness of Chardonnay.

The savoury complexity of traditional winemaking.

And the distinctive mineral character of Bouzy.

Think ripe strawberry.

Fresh lemon zest.

Red apple.

Delicate floral perfume.

Subtle clove.

And beautifully integrated toasted-brioche complexity.

On the palate, the Champagne possesses remarkable depth.

The Pinot Noir provides richness and structure.

The Chardonnay contributes freshness and precision.

The bubbles are beautifully fine.

And the finish is long, dry and wonderfully mineral.

This is a Champagne with genuine presence, complexity and extraordinary drinking appeal.

95 Points – James Suckling

95 POINTS – JAMESSUCKLING.COM

James Suckling awarded the 2022-base Les Parcelles XXII an outstanding 95 points in August 2026.

His review emphasises the wine's impressive purity and intensity, aromatic complexity and beautifully structured palate.

He also highlights the remarkable balance between Pinot Noir richness and the mineral precision of the finish.

An outstanding endorsement for one of Bouzy's most compelling Grand Cru Champagnes.

A Magnificent Champagne for Fine Dining

Les Parcelles is a Champagne that absolutely deserves a place at the dinner table.

Its Pinot Noir-driven richness and beautifully integrated acidity make it particularly versatile.

Think roast chicken.

Duck breast.

Veal.

Mushroom risotto.

And beautifully prepared seafood.

It would also be magnificent with seared scallops, lobster or premium white fish.

The wine's savoury complexity makes it an excellent partner for aged Comté, charcuterie and delicate pâtés.

For something particularly memorable, serve it with roast chicken and wild mushrooms.

The richness of the dish complements the Champagne's generous fruit, while the mineral acidity provides beautiful freshness.

This is Champagne that deserves to be enjoyed as a serious wine, not simply poured as an aperitif.

Why We Love This Champagne at Liquid Vibe

At Liquid Vibe, we have an enormous appreciation for the extraordinary Champagnes being produced by France's finest independent growers.

And Pierre Paillard is exactly the kind of estate that deserves far greater recognition.

First, there is the history.

Eight generations of winemaking in Bouzy.

Then there is the terroir.

100% Grand Cru Bouzy – one of Champagne's greatest Pinot Noir villages.

Then there is the blend.

80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay.

Then there is the winemaking.

Traditional oak fermentation.

Three years ageing on lees.

And exceptionally restrained Extra Brut dosage.

And finally, there is the critical recognition.

95 POINTS JAMES SUCKLING!

At $172 per bottle, this is a serious Champagne that delivers genuine Grand Cru pedigree, extraordinary complexity and magnificent drinking pleasure.

For customers who love the depth and structure of Pinot Noir-driven Champagne, this is an absolute beauty.

If you have been buying the same big-name Champagnes for years, this is exactly the kind of wine that deserves your attention.

Discover what eight generations of winemaking experience, exceptional Grand Cru vineyards and extraordinary attention to detail can produce.

GRAND CRU BOUZY. 80% PINOT NOIR. THREE YEARS ON LEES. EXTRA BRUT. 95 POINTS JAMES SUCKLING.

Pierre Paillard Les Parcelles is a magnificent Champagne – and one we are delighted to recommend at Liquid Vibe.

Wine Details

• Producer: Champagne Pierre Paillard

• Wine: Bouzy Grand Cru Les Parcelles Extra Brut

• Vintage: Non-Vintage

• Reviewed Release: Les Parcelles XXII, base 2022

• Region: Champagne, France

• Village: Bouzy, Montagne de Reims

• Classification: Grand Cru

• Grape Varieties: 80% Pinot Noir, 20% Chardonnay

• Vineyards: Selected parcels across the family's Grand Cru Bouzy holdings

• Viticulture: Certified organic for the XXII release

• Reserve Wines: Approximately 20%

• Fermentation: Oak barrels

• Lees Ageing: Approximately 36 months

• Dosage: 3 g/L for the reviewed 2022-base release

• Style: Extra Brut Grower Champagne

• Critic Score: 95 Points JamesSuckling.com

• RRP: $172 per bottle

• Food Pairing: Roast chicken, duck, veal, mushrooms, scallops, lobster and aged Comté

• Serving Temperature: Approximately 9–11°C

• Cellaring: Enjoy now or cellar carefully under suitable conditions