NV Bruno Paillard

Full bottle 1,642 g. 45% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay and 22% Pinot Meunier. Blend from 30 crus on chalk. Some base wines aged in old oak and includes some wines from a reserve perpetuelle (solera) started in 1985. Aged for 3 years on lees – and an admirable amount of information on the back label, as pioneered by this producer last century. The only thing not spelled out explicitly is the base vintage, which was presumably 2021? Dosage 5.5 g/l after disgorgement in Janaury 2025. Firm, dense and well balanced with a few years’ evolution ahead of it. Spreads out to a satisfyingly long finish. (JR)

The NV Champagne Premiere Cuvee Extra Brut has a 2021 base and is fresh and spritely, although a hint of beer yeast (almost pilsner) is noticeable on the finish. The wine is a pale silver/yellow hue and the nose is refreshing and pure, but It's a challenging wine, because I appreciate the freshness of the fruit, as well as the clean, bright, bitter notes of lime leaf and lime zest (which I particularly enjoy). The aromatics are fresh and bright, with notes of white peaches, while the finish has a light, perhaps an iron metallic quality, with a sanguine note and a steely undertone. Medium-bodied, it has a fine mousse with a note of white peach. Drink now or over the coming 10 years. In general, it's around 30% reserve wine. (The least they have ever used was 22%.) Dosage was 5.4 grams per liter.

A blend of 45% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay and 22% Pinot Meunier, Paillard’s NV Extra-Brut Première Cuvée (disgorged in June 2022 with 5.5 grams per liter) expresses an elegant and fresh bouquet with aromas of citrus oil, lemon, spring flowers, pomelo and pastry touches. Medium to full-bodied, crystalline and vibrant, it’s complemented by a delicate mousse and chalky finish. Enjoy it over the next three years.