Julien Prélat‘Presle’ Brut Champagne NV

The Champagnes of Julien Prelat are a recent and exciting discovery—and a remarkable value, at least for now. Julien is the third generation to farm his family’s holdings in the Aube, but the first to craft his own Champagnes. Together with his wife, Karine, he farms organically and by hand. A kindred spirit to his friend Cédric Bouchard (another K. LAZ favorite), Julien produces site-specific bottlings from single vintages to showcase the character of unique vineyards. Presle is a beautiful Blanc de Blancs from 18-year-old Chardonnay vines grown on Kimmeridgian limestone. Fermented in stainless steel and aged on its lees in used Burgundy barrels, it’s bottled only when Julien and Karine deem it ready. The result is elegant yet textured, with notes of white flowers, crisp green apple, and apricot.