Nicolas Maillart — Grand Cru from Écueil

Craftsmanship at the highest level

Nicolas Maillart is one of those winemakers you'd call an "insider tip" — if that term weren't so overused. In Écueil, a Premier Cru village on the northern Montagne de Reims, he farms around 10 hectares of vineyards, including parcels in Grand Cru sites.

I've tasted 10 champagnes from Maillart. What strikes me every time: the precision. Every detail is just right here — from harvest timing to Dosage.

What makes him special

Maillart works with a combination that's rare in Champagne: He combines the power and structure of the Montagne de Reims with an elegance you'd expect more from the Côte des Blancs. This comes from his Terroir — Écueil sits on the north side of the Montagne, with cooler temperatures and longer ripening time than the southern sites.

His champagnes are:

  • Structured — The Montagne de Reims provides backbone
  • Complex — Some barrel aging, always thoughtful
  • Age-worthy — Champagnes that benefit from bottle age
  • Terroir-driven — You taste the place, not just the winemaker

The range

Maillart offers a thoughtful range: From classic Brut to an excellent Rosé, all the way to single-vineyard champagnes and vintages. The single vineyards especially deserve attention — they show how different champagnes can taste from parcels that are only a few hundred meters apart.

Nicolas Maillart makes champagne for people who want to taste precisely. No pomp, no marketing noise — just excellently made wine from first-class sites.

Numbers

Posts

Platine 2020

For the second time, I opened the Platine from yesterday.
In the feed – or in the Story highlight for Nicolas Maillart – you'll find the post from April: back then with porcini carpaccio.

Yesterday, however: Solo.

Extra Brut · Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier

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Les Auges 2020

Today, pure Pinot again – but not just any Blanc de Noirs, rather an expression of deep handcraft, selective massal propagation and real conviction.

The Les Auges 2020 from comes powerful and precise – clear Pinot character, but without heavy opulence.

Instead: freshness, structure, tension.

Blanc de Noirs · Pinot Noir

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Mont Martin Rosé 2020

Opened yesterday: Mont Martin Rosé 2020 from – a Premier Cru from Villers Allerand with fine color, clear structure and intense freshness.

But looking at the back label, I had to pause for a moment: 100% Meunier, Blanc de Noirs, Macération à froid – that didn't sound like Rosé at all. Or did it?

Rosé · Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier

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Montchenot 2019

Sometimes you just have one of those evenings: No energy to cook, low motivation – so you go for delivery.

Pizza Diavolo – spicy, greasy and visually really not a highlight. ️

Normally I value aesthetics and setting.

Blanc de Noirs · Pinot Noir

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Rosé 2021

Ordered sushi again today – nothing elaborate, but simply good.

To go with it, I pulled the Rosé from out of the fridge.

Fruity, clear, with depth – but not sweet or kitschy.

Rosé · Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

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Les Jolivettes 2020

With some winemakers you quickly notice: This will be more than a snapshot.

is exactly such a case for me – not because one bottle impressed, but because each new bottle opens a new chapter.
Les Jolivettes 2020 was my fifth Maillart – and clearly one of the most impressive.

Brut Nature · Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier

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Mont Martin 2019

I'm now pretty close to having tried all the champagnes from.

And honestly: not a single disappointment so far.

Each bottle has its own character – but the style is always clear, clean, precise.

Extra Brut · Pinot Meunier

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Les Couzy 2019

Two hungry kids, three different wishes – and in the end a combination that seems quite harmonious:

Grilled meatballs with spicy ajvar – juicy, slightly smoky Mashed potatoes with butter & nutmeg – warm, soft, mild Greek salad – feta, cucumber, tomato, olives, some lemon

Nothing elaborate. But just right.
And to go with it?

Extra Brut · Petit Meslier

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Les Loges Premier Cru 2022

Work was faster than the weekend today – but at least I sat in the sun while doing it. Laptop, Cooler, and in the glass: – Les Loges – Premier Cru. 100% Pinot Noir, Brut Nature, spontaneously fermented, 10 months in wood – a wine with character.

Blanc de Noirs · Pinot Noir

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Platine Extra Brut 2020

Planned for the days was a porcini carpaccio – aromatic, light, autumnal.
But at lunch alone? More of a prelude than a meal.

Extra Brut · Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier

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My Tastings

Location Écueil
Region Montagne de Reims
Classification Premier Cru (with Grand Cru parcels)
Grape varieties Pinot Noir, Chardonnay
Specialty Single-vineyard champagnes
Tasted champagnes 20

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