Bruno Paillard : Première Cuvée

Disgorged in June 2021, the latest release of Paillard's NV Extra-Brut Première Cuvée is showing very well out of the gates, and it's already expressive, bursting with aromas of ripe orchard fruit, freshly baked bread, brioche and citrus oil. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and precise, with a pinpoint mousse, bright acids and chalky grip on the finish, it's approachable now but also built to evolve with grace.

A well-balanced Champagne in an aperitif style, with subtle plushness to the mousse, offering lively lemony acidity and a pretty mix of white cherry, poached pear, smoke and ground anise notes, while a touch of almond lingers on the finish. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier. Disgorged July 2022. Drink now. 15,000 cases made, 950 cases imported.

A lovely reductive smokiness fills the nose with promise. Creaminess and rounded freshness on the palate with a slight hint of development and spicy complexity, finely etched citric finish.

A fine mineral layer atop subtle sourdough yeastiness, with lemon zest and green apples. Fruity and delineated on the palate, with generous, creamy bubbles and a flavorful finish. Quite approachable, but it ends dry. Disgorged in February 2022. Drink now.

The NV Extra Brut Première Cuvée is bright, aromatic and nicely lifted. Crushed rocks, mint, white pepper, slate and citrus fruit are all beautifully delineated. Brisk acids pull it all together on the close. This airy, nuanced Champagne from Bruno Paillard is a delight. The blend is 45% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay and 22% Meunier, with 32% reserve wines that date back to 1985. Disgorged: September 2022.

A bright yellow/straw color, the NV Champagne Premiere Cuvée Extra Brut is made from a blend of 45% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay, and the remainder Meunier, with 20% aged in barrels and roughly a third of the blend coming from their perpetual reserve going back to 1985. Classic and rounded on the nose, with aromas of brioche, peach, hazelnut, and fresh flowers, the palate is supple and balanced, with full-bodied richness, a weightless feel, a refined and elegant mousse, and lasting notes of citrus oils through the finish. One of my favorite entry level wines, this consistently over-delivers and is going to drink well over the coming 8-10 years. Disgorged in September 2022.

this 2019 base comes across as serious; the nose is fresh, conveying Champagne classicism without feeling narrow or reductive. The palate is wrapped in a seductive dosage, yet it remains coherent. The finish is precise and chiselled

This is the producer's nonvintage cuvée, dry in the house style and with good balance between freshness and fruitiness. Lightly textured and with taut acidity and crispness at the end, the Champagne is ready to drink.