Maillart Champagne 1er Cru Platine Extra Brut

Maillart Champagne 1er Cru Platine Extra Brut is a refined, terroir-driven Champagne that showcases the precision and purity of premier cru vineyards in the Montagne de Reims. Crafted with a blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier, this non‑vintage cuvée balances intensity and elegance with a razor‑sharp, dry finish. The low dosage in this Extra Brut style lets the character of the fruit and chalky soils of Champagne, France, shine through with clarity.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Platine Extra Brut shows a pale, luminous straw colour with silvery highlights and a fine, persistent bead of bubbles. On the nose, it opens with fresh citrus and green apple, followed by notes of white flowers, chalk, and a subtle brioche character from ageing on lees. Hints of pear, almond and a touch of spice add complexity as it aerates. The palate is crisp, dry and precise, led by Pinot Noir’s structure and red-fruit backbone, lifted by Chardonnay’s tension and purity, and rounded by Pinot Meunier’s gentle fruitiness. Expect flavours of lemon zest, tart apple, stone fruit and delicate pastry, wrapped in a distinctly mineral, chalk‑driven finish. The Extra Brut dosage keeps the wine linear and refreshing, making it a superb aperitif Champagne with notable length. While ready to drink now, this cuvée has the structure to evolve gracefully for another 3–5 years, gaining more brioche, hazelnut and honeyed nuances over time.

Production
Sourced from premier cru vineyards primarily around Ecueil and neighbouring villages in the Montagne de Reims, this Champagne reflects the region’s classic mix of chalk and limestone soils, with some clay that brings body and depth. The grapes are harvested by hand to ensure careful selection in the vineyard, preserving only the healthiest bunches. In the cellar, each grape variety and parcel is vinified separately, often with a portion fermented in oak to add texture and complexity, while the rest is kept in stainless steel to retain freshness and precision. Reserve wines from prior vintages are blended into the base wine to ensure consistency and depth, after which the cuvée undergoes secondary fermentation in bottle and extended ageing on lees before disgorgement at an Extra Brut dosage, keeping sugar levels low and terroir expression high.

Food & Serving
This Extra Brut Champagne is an excellent match for refined, delicate dishes where freshness and texture matter. Pair it with oysters, scallop carpaccio, sashimi, or a simple plate of prawns with lemon for a classic maritime combination. It also works beautifully with goat’s cheese, light poultry dishes, sushi, or tempura, and can cut through the richness of creamy starters or lightly fried appetizers. Serve well‑chilled at around 8–10°C (46–50°F). A brief 10–15 minutes in the glass is sufficient for it to open up; decanting is not necessary, though pouring into suitably sized white wine or tulip‑shaped Champagne glasses will help the aromas fully express themselves.

Producer
The Nicolas Maillart estate is a historic grower‑producer rooted in the Montagne de Reims, with a family lineage in Champagne viticulture that dates back several centuries. Based in the premier cru village of Ecueil, the domaine is known for its focus on Pinot Noir‑driven Champagnes that faithfully express the chalky slopes and cooler climate of the region. Over time, Nicolas Maillart has gained a strong reputation among Champagne enthusiasts for combining traditional, hands‑on methods with thoughtful modern precision, often working sustainably in the vineyard and carefully managing yields to maximise concentration and balance. The house’s wines, including Platine Extra Brut, have earned critical praise for their purity, texture and clear sense of place, making Nicolas Maillart a noteworthy reference point for terroir‑focused grower Champagne.