1999 Bruno Paillard NPU
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Tasting notes
After 1990, 1995 and 1996, the fine fizzing golden-yellow 1999 N.P.U. (Nec Plus Ultra; latin for "There is nothing beyond") is the fourth vintage of this prestige cuvée from Bruno Paillard. Sourced from the four grands crus of Mailly, Verzenay, Oger and Le Mesnil sur Oger, the musts were fermented and aged for 10 months in barriques before the finest 42 barrels were selected for this 50/50 Chardonnay/Pinot Noir cuvée. The Champagne was kept for more than 12 years on the lees before it was disgorged in January 2012 with a small dosage of 4 g/l and spent another year in the cellar before a total of 11508 bottles and 508 magnums was launched on the market. Number 2879 of the 1999 NPU offers a uniquely rich and aromatically very particular bouquet of ripe and dried fruit aromas, dried flowers, potted ginger, candied lemon and orange peel, mandarins, roasted sesame, walnuts, resin and ultra ripe pears (Williams) to name just a few of the steadily developing aromas. The really complex and multi-layered nose leads to a rich, intense, round, voluminous and elegant Champagne of great expression and persistency. Firmly structured and remarkably mineral in the long aftertaste, this is a big character, quite aristocratic but also sensual and harmonious. Unfortunately this modern "classic" is highly expensive but worth a dinner for two. The wine benefits a lot from a certain time in a big wine glass.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
Disgorged January 2012 and aged for a further 15 months. Deep gold and lots of savour. Real class and definition on the nose. Great balance. Great for current drinking. Some vegy aromas. Firm and fine with great density. Very confident and elegant already. Vivacious. Hugely harmonious – not a foot wrong. Dry, vital finish with masses of energy. You can still find it on the market. Perfect for current drinking.
The most extroverted of Bruno Paillard's wines, the 1999 N.P.U. Nec Plus Ultra exudes tremendous complexity and nuance. Orange marmalade, wild flowers, and honey are some of the first notes that open up. The 1999 is complex and oxidative in style, with notable balance and plenty of personality. Poire Williams and warm, nutty notes add the final layers of complexity in a rich, broad-shouldered Champagne to drink now and over the next decade or so.
After 1990, 1995 and 1996, the fine fizzing golden-yellow 1999 N.P.U. (Nec Plus Ultra; latin for "There is nothing beyond") is the fourth vintage of this prestige cuvée from Bruno Paillard. Sourced from the four grands crus of Mailly, Verzenay, Oger and Le Mesnil sur Oger, the musts were fermented and aged for 10 months in barriques before the finest 42 barrels were selected for this 50/50 Chardonnay/Pinot Noir cuvée. The Champagne was kept for more than 12 years on the lees before it was disgorged in January 2012 with a small dosage of 4 g/l and spent another year in the cellar before a total of 11508 bottles and 508 magnums was launched on the market. Number 2879 of the 1999 NPU offers a uniquely rich and aromatically very particular bouquet of ripe and dried fruit aromas, dried flowers, potted ginger, candied lemon and orange peel, mandarins, roasted sesame, walnuts, resin and ultra ripe pears (Williams) to name just a few of the steadily developing aromas. The really complex and multi-layered nose leads to a rich, intense, round, voluminous and elegant Champagne of great expression and persistency. Firmly structured and remarkably mineral in the long aftertaste, this is a big character, quite aristocratic but also sensual and harmonious. Unfortunately this modern "classic" is highly expensive but worth a dinner for two. The wine benefits a lot from a certain time in a big wine glass.