Drappier ‘Carte d’Or’ Brut NV
Grape Varietals: 80% Pinot Noir, 15% Chardonnay & 5% Pinot Meunier
Growing Region: Urville, Côte des Bar - France
Owner / Chef de Cave: Michel Drappier - *(7th Generation)
4 Stars ★★★★
I was due to visit the Drappier family this year…, to catch-up with André, Michel, Charline & Antoine Drappier (6th, 7th & 8th generations) in the hamlet of Urville. Located in the south-east corner of the Champagne region where you will find their vineyards and winery. They are such a charming, humble and hardworking family who recently added the 9th generation to the lineage with Charline having a son.
The Carte d’Or cuvée perfectly showcases the Drappier style. Being crafted with a very high proportion of Pinot Noir, it is almost in the ilk of a 'Blanc de Noirs'. They also use time-honoured, low impact methods in the vineyard, and where possible none, or low levels of sulphur during the whole vinification process and at bottling, along with no filtration. These practices producing expressive Champagnes. The family passionately practice a sustainable and low intervention growing and winemaking ethos. 5% of the cuvée is matured in oak barrels for a year to add complexity and texture. 40% of the final cuvée is reserve wines and it is bottled unfiltered with a low dosage and minimal sulphur.
This Carte d’Or label was first launched in 1952 - and is well known by those in the know as a broad, well-structured style of non-vintage Champagne with a natural charm.
★ In the glass you will have a luminous pale gold colour with an active medium sized bead. On the engaging aroma you have red apples, ripe peaches, quince and a ginger note that carry through across the palate. This non-vintage Champagne has a broad textured mouthfeel along with a relaxed complexity. Plus showcasing its characteristic nuance of quince jelly that lingers on the deceptive dry finish.
This Drappier Carte d’Or Brut NV has 12% Alc./Vol. - A dry style, with a dosage of 6.5g/L. Chill gently and served in a generously shaped tulip glass at 8°- 10°C.
CELLARING POTENTIAL: *(Review 16/9/21)
Drinking perfectly well this season; plus it will hold its character for another 2 - 3 years.
FOOD PAIRING SUGGESTIONS:
Perfect wine pairing with seasoned shellfish, stuffed crab, Thai fish cakes, bbq’d or smoked fish, chicken & walnut salad, pumpkin gnocchi & with aged cream cheeses - enjoy.
