Published by Jeremy.
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After returning home from our trip to Champagne, we, naturally, started buying more Champagne.
This wasn't so much because we didn't buy a lot while there (we did), but rather that many top producers were readily available to us at home- often not for much more than we could buy them in France. So we waited until we returned, grabbed a few bottles from producers we wanted to try but missed when on the road, and quickly popped them enjoy.
Pierre Paillard's Bouzy Grand Cu Les Parcelles 2021 (labeled XXI) was one such bottle. Although we enjoyed this one, we do have to admit, it was a bit on the pricier side for our liking.
A More Complex Aroma Than Flavor
This Bouzy Grand Cru Champagne from Pierre Paillard was medium gold in color with medium aromas of pear, cream, yellow apple, toast, brioche, almond, grapefruit, pineapple, white blossom, and chalk.
On the palate, it was dry with high acidity, medium alcohol, body, flavor intensity, and finish, plus a delicate mousse. We had slightly more simple flavors of lemon, lime, pear, nectarine, cream, almond, and wet stone to name a few.
Although this one had a wealth of secondary aromas, we thought it was somewhat lacking on the palate and trended a bit more towards citrus and stone fruit notes primarily. If this one would've had a bit stronger lees intensity, we would've likely enjoyed this one a bit more for its price.
Champagne Food Pairing – Roasted Bone Marrow and Lamb Shank
We paired this Champagne with roasted bone marrow and sous vide lamb shank. The marrow itself was a good pairing for the Champagne as it brought out more cream and toast notes that we otherwise found somewhat lacking in the wine when we tried it on its own.
The rich lamb showcased more of the tropical notes like pineapple and grapefruit as well as allowing for the rich meat flavors to feel more concentrated as well. All told, we really enjoyed this pairing and would do more Champagne with bone marrow and lamb shank in the future.
Score: 3 / 5
We'd buy a glass of this one.
Pierre Paillard has a reputation for being a stellar high-end Champagne producer, and although we found this one lacked some lees concentration that we'd otherwise be looking for at its price point, we still enjoyed this one all the same. As such, we'd be happy with a glass.
Champagne Pierre Paillard is located at 2 Rue du Vingtième Siècle, 51150 in Bouzy, France. We purchased this bottle locally and enjoyed it in 2026.
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