Bruno Paillard - Brut Première Cuvée, Champagne

Brut Première Cuvée, Champagne

Only the first pressing, the finest and the purest, is used for this Champagne, hence the name “Première Cuvée”. A very high percentage of wine from the noblest grape varieties is used: around 22% of Pinot Meunier, 33% of Chardonnay and 45% of Pinot Noir. "Reserve" wines are always added, set aside in previous vintages, and this Champagne is extraordinary in that it contains some portion of every vintage Bruno Paillard has vinified since 1985.  The wine is matured in bottle far beyond the legally required minimum period. As in all Bruno Paillard Champagnes, the "dosage" (addition of sugar) is kept very low so as to produce as natural a wine as possible.
 
This wine is the very expression of Champagne, made up from the three major grape varieties originating from 30 different villages.  To the eye it offers a bright straw-gold color, and very delicate, tiny bubbles.  On the nose, the first aromas reveal citrus fruits so typical of Chardonnay: lime and grapefruit.  Then aromas of red fruits appear, such as red currant, raspberry and Morello cherry, typical of Pinot Noir.  Finally, aromas of candied or even exotic fruits show through, a result of the Pinot Meunier.  
 
On the palate there are flavors of citrus fruit, almond and toast, but also red currant jelly, then red and black fruits like cherry, fig and blackberry.  All through its evolution, it reveals flavors of plum and pear.  It is full-bodied without being heavy, and long with a neat finish.  The elegance and complexity of this wine perfectly translates the Bruno Paillard style.

    •  "The NV Brut Premiere Cuvee is exceptionally polished and refined from the very first taste. Lemon, grapefruit, green pears and flowers are some of the many notes that are woven together in this classy, totally polished wine. The two-plus years of bottle age post-disgorgement are a great example of how first-class NV Champagnes can develop beautifully in bottle, something I have seen time and again with Bruno Paillard’s wines. Hints of hazelnut, almond, crushed rocks and pastry add elements of complexity, yet the wine retains its classic sense of energy and vibrancy. This is a great showing. The Brut Premiere Cuvee is 45% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay and 22% Pinot Meunier." 92 Points Wine Advocate

    • “The current release of Bruno Paillard’s non-vintage “Première Cuvée” Brut was disgorged in September of 2011 and is now really drinking beautifully. The wine has seen an additional six months of bottle age since I last tasted it in preparation for Issue Forty, and it is now simply singing in the glass. The deep and very classy bouquet wafts from the glass in a sophisticated combination of apple, tangerine, brioche, complex soil tones, a touch of fresh almond, orange peel and incipient smokiness. On the palate the wine has really relaxed structurally since the summer of 2012, with its full-bodied format now really open and focused. The wine is rock solid at the core, beautifully balanced and shows off very elegant mousse, with lovely balance, crisp acids and outstanding length and grip on the complex finish. I anticipated that this wine would take a bit longer to really blossom, but six months of bottle age really seems to have done the trick and I would not hesitate to be opening this very classy wine anytime over the coming dozen years. This is great juice and one of the superb sleepers to be found in the world of Champagne! 2013-2030.”  92+ John Gilman, View from the Cellar

    • "There's an intensity to this firm Champagne, with structuring notes of white peach, fresh-cut apple, stony mineral and a hint of beeswax. Vivacious, with a chalky sensation on the palate." 91 Points Wine Spectator

    • (45% pinot noir, 33% chardonnay and 22% pinot meunier, all from the first pressing; disgorged July, 2011):  Pale gold. Expressive, precise aromas of nectarine, pear skin and chalky minerals. Racy and focused on the palate, displaying steely citrus and orchard fruit flavors underscored by zesty minerality. Concentrated but silky and brisk, with strong finishing cut and excellent length." 91 Points International Wine Cellar

    • "The new release of Bruno Paillard’s Première Cuvée is outstanding, wafting from the glass in a complex and classy blend of apple, lemon zest, brioche, complex minerality and a nice touch of orange peel in the upper register. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, complex and snappy, with an excellent core, fine focus, very elegant, pinpoint bubbles and excellent length and grip on the youthful and snappy finish. While there is plenty of pleasure to be had 56 drinking this wine today, I would opt for giving it a couple of years in the cellar to loosen up a bit structurally. This is fine juice. 2012-2030."  92 Points John Gilman, View From The Cellar

    • "This is a tightly built, aromatic Champagne; its leesiness picks up on fruit-skin flavors while firming up the wine with minerality. A match for braised pheasant or rabbit."  90 Points Wine & Spirits Magazine (2012)