Cellar for up to 9 years. Serve chilled. According to local records the Maillart family have been growing grapes since the 1500s. Today the family’s Champagne house is in the capable hands of ninth generation owner Nicolas Maillart who took over in 2003 following his engineering and enology studies. Since then Nicolas has gained a solid reputation for his exceptional Grower Champagnes by modernising the winery and overhauling how he works his family’s vineyards. Measures like avoiding chemical pesticides and herbicides and ploughing the vineyard help him to ensure consistency and quality each vintage. Les Chaillots Gillis Blanc de Blancs is produced from old vine Chardonnay planted in 1963 and is only made during the finest vintages in tiny quantities. The wine is aged on the lees for five years to add extra character and no dosage is added at all to give a refreshingly dry finish. The result is a sophisticated and multi-layered Champagne which opens with enchanting aromas of brioche, honeysuckle and lemon zest along with hints of toasted nuts and sweet pastries on the palate. Rich and complex, this sumptuous Grower Champagne is a magnificent wine to serve as a special aperitif or as an accompaniment to dishes like lobster, mature cheeses or pan-fried salmon steaks.