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. - Audrey Frick

The Bruno Paillard Première Cuvée NV is an assemblage of 45% Pinot Noir, 33% Chardonnay and 22% Pinot Meunier made from 2018 base wine, of which 20% is barrel fermented in aged oak barrels. Accounting for 60% of the house annual production, this cuvée always includes a good proportion of reserve wines from a perpetual reserve started in 1985, with this specific bottling including 32% reserve wine. Aromatically rich and heady, it opens to notes of ripe apricot, lemon pulp, butter biscuit and hints of coconut macaroon. Medium-bodied, the palate has attractive energy from refreshing, lively acidity that mingles with ripe citrus flavors and toasty notes on the long, saline finish. It is an Extra Brut with 5.5 grams per liter dosage that is well integrated and balanced. The bottle tasted was disgorged in May 2022. - Sarah Mayo

A fine mineral layer on top of the subtle sourdough yeastiness, lemon zest and green apples. Fruity and delineated on the palate with generous, creamy beads and a flavorful finish. Quite approachable, but it ends dry. Disgorged in February 2022. Drink now. - Zekun Shuai, Senior Editor

(92+ points) 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. - Yohan Castaing

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. - AN

Première cuvée is the flagship Bruno Paillard style. This blend of 25 vintages offers an elegant, pure and delicate bouquet with pear, peach, flowers and pastry aromas. The palate is elegant but remarkably taut, while the taste has an alluring oxidative element interacting with its white fruit. Very elegant.

The NV Extra Brut Première Cuvée is a terrific introduction to this range. Bright, sculpted and bristling with energy, this has much to offer. It's a classic Bruno Paillard wine endowed with tons of understated finesse. Citrus, white flowers, slate and crushed rocks linger. The addition of 32% reserve wines and lots vinified and aged in oak (20%) adds layers of nuance. Dosage is 5.5 grams per liter. Disgorged: September, 2022. -- Antonio Galloni

The nonvintage Champagne from this producer shows its penchant for dry wines. This wine, a blend of the three Champagne grapes, is dry but it makes up for that with the ripe white and citrus fruits. It is ready to drink. — Roger Voss