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.

The Champagne Chaillots Gillis 2012 by Nicolas Maillart is from vines propagated from old vines in the same vineyard "massal selection" planted in 1963, exposed on the south hills and different plots Les Chaillots & Les Gillis in the village of Ecueil, classified as Premier Cru; the grapes are harvested and pressed and the juice is vinified exclusively in wooden vats and rested for 6 months on lees before bottling in April following the harvest.

Technical Information:
Vineyards: 100% Premier Cru | Les Chaillots & Les Gillis
Grape Varieties: 100% Chardonnay
Fermentation: 100% barrel fermented and no malolactic fermentation
Lees Ageing: 8 years
Disgorged: Jan 2021
No dosage
Production: 3648 bottles
Drink: Now to 2030

Tasting Note: Golden yellow with a fine, lingering bead. Aromatics are really delicate with notes of minerality and toasty notes. On the palate lovely fresh, vinous attack.