Louis Nicaise 's 2020 Brut Millésimé is a champagne produced on the Premier Cru slopes of Hautvillers, in the Marne Valley. It is a champagne with notes of pink grapefruit, toasted brioche, and roasted hazelnut, crafted from a blend dominated by Chardonnay. On the palate, the attack is lively and precise, supported by a silky texture and a lingering mineral finish. This family-run estate, passionately led by Laure Nicaise and Clément Préaux, produces a limited-release champagne acclaimed by the leading authorities in Champagne criticism.
The production of Louis Nicaise 2020 Vintage Brut Champagne
The Terroir
The village of Hautvillers overlooks the Marne Valley and is home to all the plots selected for this vintage. This terroir is classified as Premier Cru bythe INAO. The south and southeast exposure promotes slow and steady ripening of the grapes.
The subsoil of Hautvillers rests on a clay-limestone matrix. The roots reach deep into the ground to draw water from the deeper strata, which mitigates the effects of summer drought. This geology imparts a characteristic saline tension to the must.
The estate adheres to the principles of sustainable viticulture. Synthetic herbicides are not used in the vineyards. Partial grass cover promotes biodiversity and naturally limits yields per hectare.
Vinification
The blend combines Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Meunier. Cellar master Clément Préaux oversees pressing using a traditional Coquart press, which gently extracts the must. Fractional pressing rigorously separates the cuvée from the pomace.
Alcoholic fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks at a stable temperature of around 18°C. Thirty percent of the volume undergoes malolactic fermentation (conversion of malic acid into lactic acid, resulting in a softer profile). This decision preserves the cuvée’s natural liveliness.
The remaining seventy percent undergoes malolactic conversion. The winemaker then blends these two fractions before the tirage (bottling with the addition of yeast to create the bubbles). Aging on the lees lasts a full thirty-six months: this extended period develops the autolytic aromas of brioche and toasted hazelnut.
After disgorgement, a dosage is added to impart a touch of roundness and richness. This is an Extra Brut champagne.
The 2020 Vintage
The 2020 growing season was notably early. A mild winter triggered an early budbreak. The hot summer, warmer than seasonal norms, combined with periods of drought, concentrated the grapes and reduced their weight.
On the slopes of Hautvillers, the harvest began in late August. The Pinot Noir reached a high natural sugar content, the Meunier concentrated its sugars under the sun’s influence, while the Chardonnay maintained a sufficiently low pH to preserve the wine’s overall tension.
This sunny vintage contrasts with the classic cold years. It required rigorous sorting of the grapes but offered rich raw material in impeccable condition. The Hautvillers terroir successfully channeled this ripeness into a cuvée that is both dense and taut.
Tasting notes for the Louis Nicaise 2020 Vintage Brut
Appearance
The color reveals a golden hue with light highlights. The even effervescence creates a persistent stream of bubbles in the flute. The visual appearance directly reflects the proportion of black grapes.
Nose
The initial nose expresses aromas of pink grapefruit. Aeration then releases pronounced notes of toasted brioche. Subtle hints of roasted hazelnut round out the bouquet. The overall profile gains depth as it opens up over time.
Palate
The attack on the palate is lively and precise. The mid-palate reveals a silky texture, which the thirty-six months of aging on the lees have structured with depth. The finish lingers on a distinctly mineral framework.
Pairing Suggestions
- Gougères with aged Comté cheese
- Wild salmon toasts
- Avocado and crab verrines
- Roasted line-caught sea bass
- Seared scallops
- Chicken in cream sauce
- 24-Month-Aged Vieux Comté
- Fully ripened Chaource
- Thin apple tart
Expert Review: Plus de Bulles
Laure Nicaise and Clément Préaux carry on the legacy of this family-run estate. Their meticulous work has won over national wine critics: the wines are regularly featured in the Guide Hachette, and the Bettane+Desseauve tasting panel frequently praises the estate.
The 2020 vintage clearly expresses the geological potential of Hautvillers. Extended aging gives structure to the palate, while the Chardonnay’s acidity balances the density of the Pinot Noir. This bottle makes a prestigious gift for wine enthusiasts.
If you’re more interested in the expression of a single grape variety, explore other categories. Discover, for example, a Blanc de Blancs champagne from the Côte des Blancs.
Storage and Serving Recommendations
How should this champagne be stored?
Plus de Bulles ships this bottle (75cl) in reinforced shipping boxes specially designed for transporting champagne. Upon receipt, we recommend storing the bottle horizontally, away from light. Ideally in a cellar, or at least in a cool, not overly dry place with a relatively stable temperature.
Aging Potential
Louis Nicaise’s Brut Millésimé 2020 is a cuvée designed to evolve. This sunny vintage, backed by thirty-six months of aging, offers a cellaring potential of approximately ten to fifteen years.
- Through 2028: Acidic tension dominates the flavor profile, with lively citrus and a sharp minerality.
- Between 2029 and 2035: rich notes of praline and dried fruit gradually emerge, gaining in complexity.
- Beyond 2035: with age, hints of honey and sweet spices enrich the aromatic profile.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this champagne at a temperature of 10°C. A tulip-shaped glass concentrates the aromas. A few minutes of natural aeration in the glass are enough to awaken the most hidden aromas.
Trivia about this cuvée
The village of Hautvillers is home to the former Abbey of Saint-Pierre, where the cellar master Dom Pérignon worked for several decades. The local winegrowers’ association protects this Champagne heritage. Louis Nicaise’s contemporary vineyard management fully embodies this tradition.
To explore other village-specific styles, browse our dedicated selection. Discover, in particular, blanc de noirs champagnes from the Montagne de Reims.
