Arlaux Brut Grande Cuvee Premier Cru NV (750ML)

92 WA / 90 WE

The nose of this wine seduces you straight away with a great balance of autolytic and fruit aromas: toasted hazelnuts, warm apple tart and kaya (coconut and egg) jam. The palate is equally well balanced providing plenty of evolved fruit and toasty / yeasty flavors. Small, fine bubbles, seamless use of dosage and a long nutty finish. This fine if relatively unknown Brut NV takes first place in the derby - a shocker even for me! -Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Wine Advocate

From a vineyard with records going back over 1,000 years, this nonvintage cuvée is balanced and rounded, with harmony between the apple and tangy fruits and a touch of toastiness from bottle aging. It is ready to drink. - Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate held a blind tasting of NV Champagne and one wine toppled all of the more well known names. Made from grapes coming exclusively from Premier Cru vineyards, you would be forgiven if you thought you were drinking something that cost twice the price! 

Ranking of Recommended Brut NV Champagnes in Wine Advocate:

1) Arlaux Brut Grande Cuvee Premier Cru (92 points)

2) Bollinger Special Cuvee Brut NV

3) Taittinger Brut Reserve NV
Perrier-Jouet Grand Brut NV
Lanson Black Label Brut NV
Mumm Cordon Rouge Brut NV

4) Pol Roger Reserve Brut NV
Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut NV
Deutz Brut Classic NV
Billecart-Salmon Brut Blanc de Blancs NV

5) Laurent-Perrier Brut NV
Gosset Brut Excellence NV
Piper-Heidsieck Brut NV

6) Louis Roederer Brut Premier NV

7) Laurent-Perrier Ultra Brut NV
Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Reserve Particuliere NV
Gardet Guy de Saint Flavy Brut NV
Pierre Gimonnet Brut Cuis 1er Cru NV

8) Pol Roger Pure Brut Nature NV

9) Henriot Brut Souverain NV

10) Lamiable Brut Grand Cru NV