Region : Champagne, France
Grapes : 55% Pinot Noir, 45% Chardonnay
Alcohol : 12%
Website : https://www.champagne-drappier.com/en/
🌟 Producer of one of the best Champagne Boerl & Kroff
🌟 Favorite Champagne of former French President Charles De Gaulle
🌟 8 generation family winery from 1808
🌟 located in Champage trending region Côte des Bar, share the same Kimmeridgian soil with Chablis
🌟 2016 first Écoact certified Champagne winery, 17 hec organic certified
🌟 The Drinks Business Green Personality of the Year - Owner Michel Drappier
🏅 Wine Advocate 95 pts
🏅 Decanter 95 pts
🏅 James Suckling 94 pts
🏅 Vinous 94 pts
🏅 Wine Spectator 93 pts
🏅 Vivino 4.3
The Gallo-Romans planted the vine in Urville around 2,000 years ago. The vineyard was not re-established until 1116 by Saint Bernard, a monk from Cîteaux Abbey near Clos Vougeot. Everything was owned by the great Clairvaux Abbey.
The Drappier family estate, who still live next to the cellars, was established around the superbly preserved medieval Abbey in 1808, seven centuries later. They bought the cellars after World War II, where the House's largest bottles and finest vintages have been kept to this day.
Today, the eighth generation, represented by Charline, Hugo and Antoine, has joined the house which remains proud of its independence.
The vineyard is the pride of Champagne Drappier which serves as a kind of family archives preserving their heritage. A significant portion of the late Jurassic Kimmeridgian limestone can be found in Urville's soil. Dense in fossilized marine micro-organisms, this terroir gives rise to wines both tight and racy, typical of Champagne Drappier.
Today, the Drappier vineyard spans over 70 hectares, entirely certified organic, alongside 50 hectares in contract association. Mainly located in the village of Urville, it upholds the distinctive character of the Côte des Bar, defined by the influence of Pinot Noir that "runs in our veins", and they manage it according to organic and natural practices.
This grape represents 70% of the estate, supplemented by Pinot Meunier at 15%, Chardonnay at 9%, together with Blanc Vrai (Pinot Blanc), Petit Meslier, Arbane and Fromenteau (Pinot Gris). The estate can thus boast its cultivation of all 7 authorized grape varieties in Champagne.
Champagne Drappier is made exclusively from first pressing. The estate honors the grapes' natural provenance, the character of each varietal, the essence of each terroir, and occasionally even the whisper of each individual climat: no discolouring or filtering is carried out with minimal intervention.
They vehemently resist sulfur overload: Michel & Hugo reduce sulfur levels by between 30mg to 45mg of sulfur per litre, or by less than a quarter of the permitted amount. Their champagnes, therefore, have a more natural, deep gold or even copper colour, and more expressive aromas.
They do not focus on keeping the wine the same each vintage. Instead, their aim is to maximize the potential of every wine during its production process.
"Priority is wine, its loyalty to our terroir, its depth and elegance. The entire estate, 70 hectares, is farmed organically (certified by ECOCERT). We are also concerned by climate change. This is what lead us to become a carbon neutral champagne house (certified by ECOACT)." --- Michel Drappier, 7th generation of Champagne Drappier
Drappier Champagne's whole vineyard has been certified organic. They do not use pesticides in their mild agricultural practices, which include manual weeding (with a hoe), partial grass coverage, horse-drawn ploughing, and fallow ground. The estate thus promotes both biodiversity and healthy grape development.
To reduce glasshouse effect gas, Drappier Champagne also uses free cooling of the cellars, introduction of electric cars and tractors, no more fossil energy (fuel), self-production of electricity (75% photovoltaic), and low-carbon bottles (80% recycled glass).
Antoine Drappier's horse Ida helps plough organically-grown plots to reduce carbon footprints and prevent soil erosion.
BLENDING :
55% Pinot Noir.
45% Chardonnay.
VINIFICATION :
Sustainable and organic farming, certified organic since 2014.
Very low pressure plate press fIrst press
Vinification by gravity
Natural settling
Malolactic fermentation
Not filtered and not decolorded
AGING : 35% of the wines are aged in casks.
Very low sulphiting.
Bottle ageing for 9 years.
DOSAGE : 4,5g/L (liqueur de dosage matured in wood for 15 years).
🏅 Wine Advocate 95 pts
In 2012, severe weather conditions posed significant challenges for the Drappier family; hail impacted almost 70% of their village, and frost hit 20% of the La Grande Sendrée plot. This resulted in a limited yield of the 2012 Brut Grande Sendrée, which has a delicate, deep bouquet with aromas of pear, peach, orchard fruit, baked bread and spices. Medium to full-bodied, dense and concentrated, it’s a layered and structured, tension-filled but ethereal Champagne with racy acidity. Although already thoroughly enjoyable, it should age well over the next 10 years. This is a blend of 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay, disgorged with 4.9 grams per liter dosage.
🏅 Decanter 95 pts
This delightful wine is a benchmark for the Aube. Its exquisite texture boasts a delightfully creamy, dense feel and vibrant energy. The fruit aromas range from ripe pear to apricot and quince, accented by fresh white flowers and a firm mineral note. The grapes come from a single site that has been in the family since the 19th century that is organically farmed and worked by horse. The base wines are fermented in large oak uprights and dosed at 4.5g/L after eight years on the lees.
🏅 James Suckling 94 pts
Elegant and layered, with notes of lemons, white peaches, pears, nutmeg and almond croissants. It’s salty, dry and sophisticated, with very fine bubbles. Drink now or hold. From organically grown grapes. Unfiltered. 4g/L dosage. Drink now.
🏅 Vinous 94 pts
The 2012 Extra Brut Grande Sendrée is a blend of 55% Pinot Noir and 45% Chardonnay from a single vineyard in Urville which had been covered in ashes following a fire in 1836. Creaminess and oven-warm Viennoiserie combine on the attractive nose of this golden wine. More air reveals a note of blossom honey. The palate is full of 2012's dramatic vigor, full of freshness but showing off sunshine with honeyed impressions and lovely concentration. Depth of flavor and fruit define the palate while freshness frames it all and gives sleek contour. Zesty length and a sense of grilled hazelnut lasts and echoes. Dosage is 4.5gr/L.
$950/bottle
You could enjoy free delivery upon purchasing 3 bottles from "Terroir Collection"
Or you can mix your favorite wines (with other non Terroir Collection), Free delivery upon purchase total 6 bottles or above
