Champagne Drappier - Brut Carte d'Or

Bettane & Desseauve

About the estate:

Based in Urville, in the heart of the Côte des Bar since 1808, the Drappier family—led by Michel and supported by his children—owns 55 hectares of vineyards and manages an additional 50 hectares under contract. The wines, produced largely on soils dating back to the Kimmeridgian stage of the Jurassic period, showcase the classic Champagne grape varieties. While Pinot Noir reigns supreme, the estate also cultivates Petit Meslier, Blanc Vrai, and Arban. Committed to respecting his environment and the identity of the grape varieties, Michel Drappier crafts meticulous, precise, and authentic blends. A pioneer in the production of brut nature wines through sustainable viticulture, he carefully crafts his dosage liqueur for the other cuvées.

Guide Hachette des vins

About the wine:

Like almost all Drappier cuvées, the Carte d'Or—the house’s signature wine—features Pinot Noir (80%), complemented by Chardonnay (15%) and Meunier. It contains 40% reserve wines and has very light oak aging. The predominance of red grapes is reflected in the rose-gold highlights of the golden color and in a generous, very fruity aromatic profile, dominated by citrusy white fruit, with hints of almond and toasted bread. It is also evident in the smooth roundness and fullness on the palate, balanced by a fresh attack and a mineral character.

About the estate:

A renowned Aube-based winery founded in 1808. Its current owner, Michel Drappier, joined by his children Charline, Hugo, and Antoine, manages a 62-hectare vineyard—planted primarily with Pinot Noir (one-third of which is organic)—near Bar-sur-Aube, though he also sources grapes from growers in other regions. In the cellar, sulfur dioxide levels and dosage are carefully controlled. The prestige wines, particularly the large-format bottles, age in the venerable cellars dug in 1152 by the monks of the nearby Abbey of Clairvaux, while the others rest in Reims in cellars housed in former chalk quarries.

Guide des Vins Gault & Millau

About the wine:

A lovely freshness that evokes a spring shower, the beach during a storm, and the scent of apricot sorbet while waiting for the dark clouds to clear. Very smooth and velvety on the palate, it offers intense aromas of ripe yellow fruit and pear, along with a beautiful balance between acidity and bitterness that lends density and tension to its brilliant texture.

Robert Parker - Wine Advocate

About the wine:

As always, the NV Brut Carte d'Or is a classic, well-crafted, and fragrant champagne. It evokes aromas of white peach, ripe orchard fruit, pastries, and spices. Moderately full-bodied, round, and enveloping, it is delicately vinous and framed by an elegant mousse, with a lovely, enticing finish featuring notes of ripe orchard fruit. This blend of 80% Pinot Noir, 15% Chardonnay, and 5% Pinot Meunier was disgorged with a dosage of 6.5 grams per liter.

RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France

About the wine:

Right from the start, the signature character of Aube’s Pinot Noir defines this straightforward, flavorful cuvée. Full-bodied and fruity, yet generous without being heavy, it is carried by a very fine effervescence. What a style!

About the estate:

The Drappier family dates back to the 17th century. Once occupied by the Cistercian monks of Clairvaux, the estate’s headquarters feature 12th-century vaulted cellars. Following in his father’s footsteps, Michel Drappier has overseen the winemaking process since 1979. The family owns a large vineyard in Urville (one-third of which is organically farmed), supplemented by grapes sourced from the Montagne de Reims, Bouzy, and Ambonnay. The Chardonnays come from Aube and Cramant. Drappier champagnes are vibrant, with generous aromas, and express their earthy character on the palate. Here, one finds a frank and unvarnished expression of terroir, vinified with minimal sulfur.

Jeb Dunnuck

About the wine:

Hailing from Urville in the Côte des Bars region, Champagne Carte D'Or Brut NV is composed of 80% Pinot Noir, 15% Chardonnay, and a touch of Meunier. With a brilliant golden straw color, it is ripe and fruity in the glass and beautifully expresses its pure, generous profile with aromas of black cherries, ripe peaches, fresh flowers, and shortbread. Medium-bodied, it is compact, with concentrated ripeness and a soft mousse that rounds out the wine through to the finish. Very appealing, it is perfect for the fall and winter months and can be enjoyed now or within the next 4 to 6 years.

Le Figaro vins