NV -1 Pierre Baillette Champagne Premier Cru Le Village
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Tasting notes
The opening gambit for Périne Baillette’s range is Le Village – a blend of Premier Cru sites – and a beautiful wine. For this release, the 60% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir come from the 2020 vintage, with 20% old-vine Meunier reserve wines. The base wines spent 10 months on the lees, with 40% in old 350-litre oak barrels and the rest in stainless steel. Disgorged in June 2023 with a dosage of 4g/l, it is really impressive for the price. There’s a lovely richness and breadth to the wine, yet with pinpoint acidity and a fine mousse that rolls pleasingly around the palate. Fleshy peach mingles with raspberry and zesty notes, while there’s a satisfying mineral, saline backbone that drives through the core of this weighty introduction to this soon-to-be-star grower.
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Big, bold and a little chewy. Not much fun at the moment – almost metallic. (JR)
About the producer
Now in the hands of Périne Baillette, this small property in the Montagne de Reims is making some of the most exciting grower Champagne today. Farmed organically and focusing on single-site wines, these are vinous, mineral terroir-driven Champagnes that offer exceptional value.