Our tasting impressions
Yet another beauty! Jolivettes has understandably become one of our most popular Champagnes. Too bad there isn't enough of it. The 2017 is creamy, bright and packed with luscious Pinot flavors. It pulls off the ultimate balancing act of being precise and provocative, yet an absolute WOW WINE!
About this wine
The third vintage of this 100% Pinot Noir (selection Massale) Grand Cru 0.6 ha from Bouzy. The vines, planted in chalk from the Campanien in the late Cretaceous, have an average age of more than 30 years. They are managed biologically, bio-dynamically and classically as necessary - with respect for the rhythm of the plants.
Grapes are slowly and gently pressed using gravity-flow techniques. Vinification is with spontaneous fermentation in new French oak and with regular battonage. There is no malolactic fermentation. Aging is on the lees for 6 months in new French oak. Dosage : 2 g/l. Disgorged 9/2020. Only 3,640 bottles produced.
About the grape
Pinot Noir is an ancient grape from eastern France. Notoriously challenging, it thrives in cooler climates. It is one of only two red grapes permitted in Champagne. Champagne from Pinot Noir tends to be richer and fuller, and some would argue, more elegant.
About the vintage
2017 was a vintage for which only talented and dedicated growers/winemakers needed apply. Much of the spring and summer was warm and dry but August was damp, to say the least. Many vineyards experienced gray rot and some botrytis. In general, Chardonnay fared better than Pinto Noir and lots of Meunier was overripe. But, Maillart is not typical. Nicolas says unequivocally that his 2017's are great!
Suggested Glassware: Grassl Mineralité
The Maillart Family has been farming grapes in the village of Montagne de Reims since at least 1753, though there is evidence that they may have been associated with these vineyards 200 years prior.
Nicolas (9th generation) has been in charge since 2003. He is deeply committed to sustainable farming. Maillart is one of the first Champagne estates labeled both HVE (Haute Valeur Environnementale or High Environmental Value in English) and sustainable viticulture. His installation of photovoltaic panels resulted in energy production almost equaling their usage.
The 8.5-hectare estate of only 1er and Grand Cru vineyards in Bouzy, Ecueil and Villers-Allerand are planted to 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay. All of their plots are well-situated about halfway up their respective slopes.
In the cellar, fermentation and maturation can occur either in tank, barrel or both depending on the source. The result is a variety of styles for creating blends, as well as the option of producing a wine from a single, particularly impressive batch of grapes. Six different cuvées are produced.
