Michel Mailliard
Mont Vergon 1er Cru Vintage Brut – 2009
Region: France - Champagne
Michel Mailliard
Vertus, the village in Champagne’s famous Côte des Blancs, has been the home of the Mailliard family since 1894 where they have been making champagne for four generations.
In recent years, the third and fourth generations, father and son Michel and Gregory, took care of the 23-hectare (55 acre) family vineyard. Today the fourth generation is fully at the helm with Gregory and his sister Alexia working together to manage the vineyards and the harvest. They acquired their knowledge of the craft of champagne making from their father standing side-by-side with him to learn the Mailliard way.
In addition to being a vigneron and Champagne maker, Michel Mailliard was an innovator, entrepreneur, and leader with a touch of politician. Among the champagne producers of Vertus, he was a very prominent figure. Decades ago, Michel saw many of his neighbors with small vineyard plots of very good quality grapes in need of a better place to produce their champagnes. So, he created one of the first “custom crush facilities” in champagne. These types of facilities are now commonplace in many wine regions around the world, helping artisan producers and garagists. Over time, the small start-up grew to house the current state-of-the-art champagne producing equipment and temperature-controlled storage facilities. Each vigneron controls the production of their respective champagne separately from the other producers. This facility has allowed even the smallest producers to make their own style of champagne.
Michel Mailliard champagnes are estate grown with half of the vineyard plots located in Vertus and the surrounding area. The vineyards are mostly planted to Chardonnay. All of their champagnes are made at the custom crush facility owned by the family. The winemaking equipment is used only for the production of Michel Mailliard. Because there are others making wine at their custom crush facility, the wines must be labeled wRC, Récoltant-Coopérateur (wine purchased back from the group facility).
The objective of Champagne Michel Mailliard is to make champagnes that reflect the terroir and house style of the family.
The Wine
Vineyard Profile
Estate vineyard, single plot 1er Cru, Mont Vergon, Côte des Blancs, Champagne AOC.
- Area: Department of Marne in heart of Côte des Blancs, about 12.5 miles/20km southeast of Epernay
- Soil: Chalk outcrop at the surface of soil, calcareous
- “des Blancs” named after the color of Chardonnay. 95% grapes here are Chardonnay
- Plot is 3000 feet/900 meters from Mailliard cellar and presses
Harvest Notes
- 2009 very dry summer
- Temperatures remained moderate
- Hand harvested from single plot
- Fermented in stainless steel tanks
- Only the middle part of the cuvee (heart of the cuvee) is used to guarantee elegance and finesse
- No malolactic fermentation
- Began bottling March 2010
- Aged at least 12 years on lees
Winemaker's Notes
This flagship cuveé from Mailliard, a single vineyard named for the “Mont” near the winery. Intense golden colour with some greenish reflections. Fine, dense and regular bubbles. The first aromas open with hints of white and yellow fruit and nutty notes. Pastry and a touch of nut butter develops. A pure and savory palate, well balanced, full of energy, precise. Long and subtle finish.
Wine Summary
Mailliard flagship cuvée; 100% Chardonnay grapes; single premier cru estate vineyard near the “Mont” in its name, Côte des Blancs about 12.5 miles from Epernay, Champagne AOC; grapes 3000 feet from Michel Mailliard cellar/presses; chalk and calcareous soil; fermented in stainless steel tanks; only heart of cuvée used; no malolactic fermentation; began bottling 2010; aged 12 years minimum on lees.
Technical Information
- 100% Chardonnay
- Alcohol: 12.5%
- Residual Sugar: 6.7 g/l
- Dosage: 5.1 g/l
General Info
| Country | France |
| Region | Champagne |
| Appellation(s) | Côte des Blancs |
| Proprietors | Gregory & Alexia Mailliard |
| Founded | 1894 |
| Winemaker | Alexia Mailliard |
| Annual Production | 3,000 9L cases |
| Farming (Sustainable, organic, biodynamic) | Sustainable |