Les Terres Roses, Bouzy, Grand Cru, XVIII, nv

As a house whose focus is on Pinot Noir, it is no surprise that the Paillard rose is superb and displays the same step up in quality from the 2018 as the Parcelles cuvee does. Offering up tonic, lively but very fine fruit this is an utterly delicious rose champagne that is all about precision, finesse and crystal clarity; fine red fruits meet with lifted stony minerals and zesty orange peel notes. This is the start of the new Paillard era – a phenomenal release. Vinified 70% in oak barrels, with 5% red wine from selected plots in Bouzy and just 5% reserve wines. It comes as no surprise that this was the BTG pour at the Paris’s 3* Guy Savoy for seven years!