Champagne Extra Brut
N.P.U Millésime 2009

The Champagne N.P.U. "Nec Plus Ultra" by Bruno Paillard is the Maison's prestige cuvée, born from the desire to create a great Champagne wine without any compromise. Made only in the most exceptional years, nine have been produced to date, each with a different temperament, the powerful 1990, the generous 1995, the whimsical 1996, the great classic 1999, the audacious 2003, the celebrated 2002, the ample 2004, the energetic 2008 and the profound 2009. It embodies the pursuit of purity and elegance, expressing with rigour and ambition all the nobility of the most sought-after Grand Cru terroirs of Champagne, in a style that has combined complexity and finesse from its very origins.

This edition, Vintage 2009, comes from a sunny and ripe year, in which a warm and dry August brought the grapes to full ripeness while at the same time preserving a good acidity, giving the wine richness, density and a broad, generous structure, always balanced by freshness and equilibrium. The blend is made of equal parts of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, from the first pressing alone, the purest, of six among the most prestigious Grand Cru villages of Champagne, with Oger, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Chouilly for the Chardonnay and Verzenay, Mailly-Champagne and Bouzy for the Pinot Noir. Vinification and fermentation take place in small oak barrels, where the wines mature for around 10 months, refining their complexity and developing the delicate boisé notes that mark their character. After the tirage, an exceptional ageing of over 11 years on the lees follows, while the final dosage of 4.5 g/l, in Extra Brut style, completes the profile with balance and enhances the crystalline purity of this Champagne, which rests for a further 12 months after dégorgement before its release to the market.

In tasting, N.P.U. 2009 stands out for depth, complexity and refinement rather than power, showing a bright gold robe animated by a very fine and steady effervescence. On the nose it opens wide and multifaceted, with aromas of pear and citrus that intertwine with shades of hazelnut, toasted bread, dried fruit and warm pastry, enriched by balsamic and spicy hints and a delicate boisé touch. On the palate the taut, finely chiselled attack reveals a concentrated and crystalline weave, sustained by a chalky minerality and a pearly mousse that accompanies a finish of extraordinary length, where the time and rigour of the elaboration merge into a wine of rare and majestic completeness. Production in a limited run of 4,800 numbered bottles.