Nicolas Maillart Jolivettes 2016

Nicolas Maillart is a family run business, it is now the turn of the ninth generation to take the reins, in the form of Nicolas, who returned in 2003 after completing his studies in engineering and oenology. Nicolas is building on an almost three hundred year-old tradition and maintaining the house philosophy of bringing out the full potential of the Champagne terroirs in the wines. The Maison only have vines in the Premier and Grand Cru villages of the Montagne de Reims, mostly planted halfway up the hillside, ideally located for producing excellent quality wines. In keeping with the region’s typicity, their vineyards contain a high proportion of Pinot Noir vines (75%) together with Chardonnay. Maillart is one of the first Champagne estates labelled both HEV, High Environmental Value and Sustainable Viticulture. These awards recognise their environmental and economic performance taking account of biodiversity, pest strategy and water management.

Nicolas Maillart sorts his wines according to the type of soil and age of the vines. The wines ferment in oak barrels and don't undergo malolactic fermentation. This natural approach is the key in the cellar as well; the wines are fermented using wild yeasts and are neither filtered nor cold-stabilised. Maillart is one of the first Champagne estates labelled both HEV, High Environmental Value and Sustainable Viticulture.

A single vineyard "Les Jolivettes" planted in 1987 with a massale selection and the vineyard aspect tilts gently due south; the grapes are harvested and pressed and the juice is vinified in small oak barrels and rested 6 months on lees before bottling in April following the harvest.

Technical Information:
Vineyards: 100% Grand Cru | Bouzy, single vineyard of Les Jolivettes
Grape Varieties: 100% Pinot Noir
Fermentation: 100% barrel fermented and no malolactic fermentation
Lees Ageing: 3 years
Disgorged: April 2020
Dosage: 2 g/l
Production: 3640 bottles
Drink: Now for 3-4 years

Tasting Note: The aromatics leap out the glass with some very pretty fruits like redcurrant and dried raspberry, beautiful. In the mouth you see more with peach and apricot and just a hint of pineapple and blackcurrant with underlying spice. Good weight of fruit and finishes fresh and light. After several minutes in the glass you see the chalky and mineral character coming forward; the soils personality influencing what we taste. Tasted by Nick September 2020 and rated 17.5/20. The best vintage so far released from this vineyard.