Mailly Grand Cru

L'Intemporelle 2018 | Bottle 75cl - Box

Description

Description & elaboration

The L'Intemporelle 2018 cuvée from Mailly Grand Cru is a vintage champagne born on the slopes of the Montagne de Reims. It is a champagne with notes of ripe white fruits — fresh citrus — and a delicate chalky minerality. On the palate, its silky texture makes it a natural companion for a dinner centred around seafood. This Champagne cooperative presents a confidential edition of approximately 15,000 numbered bottles, presented in a bespoke case that makes it an exceptional gift.

The Terroir

The vineyard extends exclusively over the village of Mailly-Champagne, a village classified entirely as Grand Cru. The slopes of this area face north, which slows the vegetative cycle of the vines and encourages slow, steady ripening. The soils rest on Upper Cretaceous chalk formations, with belemnite chalk close to the surface that naturally regulates the water supply to the vines during summer.

The Champagne terroir dictates the chalky character of this cru. The estate has held Haute Valeur Environnementale certification for several years, complemented by the Viticulture Durable en Champagne label. Controlled grass cover between the rows limits erosion on the chalky slopes.

The winemaking

The blend brings together 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, with no Meunier. The Pinot Noir provides a structured backbone, close to the profile of a Blanc de Pinots Noirs. The Chardonnay extends the finish with its natural acidity. The grapes are hand-harvested in open crates; only free-run and first-press musts are used.

Alcoholic fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, preserving the aromatic precursors of the fruit. Cellar master Sébastien Jurczek then oversees malolactic fermentation (the conversion of sharper malic acid into softer lactic acid), which rounds out the texture without sacrificing freshness. The absence of reserve wines isolates the pure expression of the vintage; the wine then ages on lees in the estate's underground cellars.

The 2018 vintage

In Champagne, the 2018 growing season opened with a rainy winter that fully replenished the soil's water reserves. A dry, sunny summer followed. At Mailly-Champagne, the Pinot Noir reached full phenolic maturity by late August, concentrating intense aromas of red fruit.

The chalky subsoil preserved measured acidity in the Chardonnay, even through the summer heat. Harvest began in optimal health conditions. The final balance owes everything to this tension between fruit richness and the terroir's natural freshness.

Tasting notes

• Appearance

  The pale golden colour catches the ambient light. Subtle copper highlights animate the rim of the glass. A fine effervescence feeds a persistent bead at the surface.

• Nose

  On the nose, the wine opens with elegant floral notes. Aeration releases aromas of ripe orchard fruits. Hints of vineyard peach meet delicate citrus zest — a bouquet that speaks of patient lees ageing.

• Palate

  The attack is lively and direct. A silky texture coats the entire palate. A creamy effervescence carries aromas of lightly toasted brioche. The finish lingers with a distinctly saline signature.

Food pairing suggestions

Aperitif bites

• Aged comté gougères
• Smoked salmon toasts
• Oysters with yuzu lemon

Main courses

• Pan-seared scallops
• Line-caught sea bass in a crust
• Turbot cooked on one side

Cheese and Desserts

• Fully ripened Chaource
• Truffle risotto
• Thin pear tart

The Plus de Bulles expert's opinion

Practical advice

How to store this champagne?

Plus de Bulles ships this bottle (75cl) in reinforced packaging specially designed for champagne transport. Upon receipt, we recommend storing the bottle on its side, away from light — the original case provides additional protection for this clear glass bottle. Ideally in a cellar, or at the very least in a cool, not too dry place with a relatively stable temperature.

Ageing potential

L'Intemporelle 2018 from Mailly Grand Cru will evolve favourably over fifteen years, offering a cellaring potential of approximately 10 to 15 years.

• Until 2028: the wine displays aromas of ripe white fruits. A citrus tension marks the finish with lasting precision.
• From 2029: further ageing brings tertiary notes. Aromas of toasted bread and sweet almond begin to emerge.
• Around 2033: the wine will develop hints of stewed fruits. A delicate beeswax note will complete the flavour profile.

Serving suggestions

Plan for a serving temperature of between 10 and 12°C. A wide tulip glass concentrates the bouquet where a narrow flute would suppress it. Allow the wine to breathe for three to four minutes in the glass: this brief settling time will dissipate any reductive notes.

A note on this cuvée

This cuvée was first created with the 1990 harvest. The choice of clear glass showcases the golden colour, but demands total darkness during ageing. This conceptual approach differs from the house's signature Brut Réserve style, which blends multiple parcels for a consistent result. The creative risk-taking echoes the research conducted on the single-parcel expression Poétique de la Terre, illustrating the cooperative's technical ambition.