Nicolas Maillart : Les Jolivettes Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs 2021

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for Jolivettes Grand Cru Blanc de Noirs 2021 by Nicolas Maillart

Tasting

Appearance
The colour is white, in keeping with this Blanc de Noirs cuvée made exclusively from Pinot Noir grapes.

Nose
The nose is powerful and expressive, driven by the ripeness of Pinot Noir from the Grand Cru of Bouzy.

Palate
On the palate, this Champagne reveals a dense texture balanced by a serious freshness, representative of the heart of Bouzy, between power and saline tension.

Food and wine pairings
This Champagne can be enjoyed as an aperitif as well as throughout a full meal, notably alongside white meats in sauce or noble fish able to match its structure.

Serving and cellaring
This Champagne is best served at a temperature between 9 and 10°C.

Bouzy Grand Cru: The Powerful, Saline Signature of Nicolas Maillart

The estate
Champagne Nicolas Maillart traces its origins to 1753, when the Maillart family settled as winegrowers in Chamery, in the Montagne de Reims. Now based in Écueil, the estate is run by Nicolas Maillart, the ninth generation, at the helm since 2003. This Récoltant-Manipulant cultivates 16 hectares of vines spread across Premier Cru and Grand Cru terroirs, with a clear predominance of Pinot Noir complemented by Chardonnay, Meunier and Pinot Meslier. Committed to sustainable viticulture, the house is certified Haute Valeur Environnementale level 3, reflecting a deep respect for natural balance in the management of the vineyard.

The vineyard
The Les Jolivettes cuvée comes from a single 0.6-hectare plot in Bouzy, a Champagne terroir classified Grand Cru on the Montagne de Reims. South-facing, it rests on Campanian chalk, a soil that promotes optimal ripeness in Pinot Noir. The vines, over 30 years old, benefit from soil management that respects natural balance, without systematic use of herbicides.

Vinification and ageing
This Blanc de Noirs is fully vinified in 228-litre oak barrels, then aged for eight months on the lees before the final blending. Vinification in wood gives the wine a dense texture, while preserving the tension characteristic of the Bouzy terroir. The dosage, set at 1 gram per litre, places this cuvée in the Extra Brut category.

Grape variety
This cuvée is made from 100% Pinot Noir, the emblematic grape variety of the Montagne de Reims and the village of Bouzy.