94pts Wine & Spirits

This is the first new cuvée to be introduced by Alice Paillard, who took over management of the house from her father in 2017. Like the Première Cuvée, it is a blend from 30 crus, this one including one-third Pinot Meunier from the right bank of the Marne Valley, the balance equal parts chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the north-facing slopes of the Montagne de Reims. This is a fascinating wine, the most vinous of Paillard’s current releases, offering quiet scents of fresh pear, dried caramel and honeycomb without any hint of sweetness. While Champagne without dosage can sometimes be aggressive in its textures or flavors, this one is delicate. The wine’s stamina seems to grow out of its rich flavor depth, extending into a luscious texture and compelling persistence. 

92pts Wine Enthusiast

While this producer's Champagnes all tend toward dryness, this is the ultimate. The wine's total dryness is balanced by the essential aging that it has undergone both before and after disgorgement. Even so, its fruits could still take time softening into the structure. Drink from 2022.

92pts Vinous

The NV Dosage: Zéro is a gorgeous wine from Bruno Paillard. Ample and textured on the palate, with terrific depth, the Dosage: Zero has much to recommend it. This is a distinctly more vinous style than readers are likely to expect from Bruno Paillard. I would prefer to drink the Dosage: Zero at the dinner table, as it is a bit imposing on its own. Apple, pear, slate and white flowers build as this resonant, highly expressive Champagne shows off its personality. 

91pts Decanter

Nearly 30 different wines compose this bracing Champagne, prepared without any dosage. Only the best quality, first press juice is used for the base wines, to which is added 50% of reserve wine before being aged in small wooden barrels. This is a dynamic, vibrant Champagne redolent of lemon, vanilla and brioche pastry. The palate is taut and finishes with balanced acidity and freshness as well as a discreet salty note.

91pts Wine Spectator

Vivid acidity and a streak of salinity drive the tightly meshed notes of poached pear, lemon pastry cream and biscuit. Offers a firm and minerally finish.

90pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The straw-yellow to white-golden colored first release starts with an elegant, pure, fresh and vinous bouquet of white fruit and apple compote aromas with a lovely oxidative and chalky citrus touch. Pure, lean and fresh on the palate, this is a bone-dry yet fine, elegant, well-structured and grippy Champagne with beautifully ripe but discreet and food-friendly fruit. Have the 'DZ' cuvée with a starter (with oysters!) or fresh (and possibly raw) white fish from the ocean. The wine has a good, mineral finish with white fruit and some lemon flavors.

Tasting Notes