Champagne Drappier - Brut Carte d'Or

Based in Urville, in the heart of the Côte des Bar since 1808, the Drappier family—led by Michel and joined by his children—owns 55 hectares of vineyards and manages an additional 50 hectares under contract. The wines, produced primarily 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 Arbanne. Committed to respecting the 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 his other cuvées.

Like almost all Drappier vintages, the Carte d’Or—the house’s signature wine—features Pinot Noir (80%), complemented by Chardonnay (15%) and Meunier. It includes 40% reserve wines, with very light oak aging. The predominance of red grapes is reflected in the rose-gold highlights of its golden color and in its generous, very fruity aroma, dominated by citrusy white fruit, with hints of almond and toast. This is also evident in its smooth roundness and full-bodied palate, balanced by a fresh attack and a mineral character.

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, but he also sources grapes from other regions through local winemakers. In the cellar, sulfur dioxide levels and dosage are kept to a minimum. 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.

A lovely, refreshing wine 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 structure.

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. Medium-bodied, round, and enveloping, it is delicately vinous and supported 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.

Right from the start, the signature flavor profile—dominated by Pinot Noir from the Aube region—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!

The Drappier family dates back to the 17th century. Once occupied by the Cistercian monks of Clairvaux, the estate’s headquarters features 12th-century vaulted cellars. Following in his father’s footsteps, Michel Drappier has overseen winemaking 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 the Aube region and Cramant. Drappier champagnes are vibrant, with generous aromas, and express their earthy, vinous character on the palate. Here, one finds a frank and unvarnished expression of terroir, vinified with minimal sulfur.

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 and generous profile with aromas of black cherries, ripe peaches, fresh flowers, and shortbread. Medium-bodied, it is compact, with concentrated ripeness and a velvety mousse that rounds out the wine through the finish. Highly appealing, it is perfect for the fall and winter months and can be enjoyed now or within the next 4 to 6 years.