Champagne Drappier'sLa Grande Sendrée 2015 is one of the most refined expressions of the Urville house. Produced from a unique terroir and a sunny vintage, this champagne combines intensity, balance, and elegance. 2015 revealed ripe, pure fruit, enhanced by barrel vinification and long aging on lees. A wine that is both full-bodied and finely crafted, combining the nobility of Pinot Noir with the finesse of Chardonnay.
Made from vines planted in the "La Grande Sendrée" vineyard—named after the ashes of the great fire of 1838—this cuvée stands out for its depth and brilliance. It is a gastronomic champagne, precise and polished, ready to drink or keep.
The production of Drappier La Grande Sendrée 2015
La Grande Sendrée 2015 is an emblematic blend from the house, aiming to express the identity of the Urville terroir and the complexity of a great vintage. The aromatic objective: to combine the sunny maturity of Pinot Noir with the chalky freshness of Chardonnay to create a wine that is both full-bodied and taut.
- Pinot Noir (55%) brings structure, vinosity, and aromatic richness.
- Chardonnay (45%) brings finesse, freshness, and brightness.
The terroir
The La Grande Sendrée vineyard is located in Urville, on clay-limestone slopes with a high proportion of Kimmeridgian chalk. These deep, rich soils promote aromatic concentration while preserving tension. The south-easterly exposure allows the grapes to ripen evenly, even in sunny years. In 2015, the combination of heat and water balance produced perfectly ripe grapes, expressing the terroir with intensity and integrity.
Vinification
The grapes are gently pressed, then the juices ferment in old oak barrels to add complexity without marking the wine. Partial malolactic fermentation to preserve tension and relief. No fining or filtration. Dosage: Brut at 4.5 g/L. Late disgorging after long aging on lees in the cellar (approximately 6 years), for fine effervescence and a creamy texture.
The 2015 vintage
A sunny and generous vintage, 2015 is distinguished by its great maturity and perfectly integrated acidity. On the slopes of Urville, Pinot Noir produced fleshy, dense wines, while Chardonnay retained a mouthwatering tension. La Grande Sendrée 2015 embodies this balance between power and purity: a champagne that is at once deep, expressive, and luminous, with great potential for aging.
Tasting notes
Color
Light gold with golden highlights. Fine, regular effervescence. Creamy mousse, a sign of long aging on lees.
Nose
Initial nose of ripe pear, mirabelle plum, and white flowers. Then notes of honey, brioche, toasted hazelnut, and wet chalk appear. An elegant, complex, and harmonious ensemble.
Palate
Full-bodied attack, supported by a chalky tension. Silky texture, delicate bubbles. Aromas of candied citrus, dried fruit and fine pastries. Long, salty and balanced finish.
Food pairing
A racy and complex champagne, La Grande Sendrée 2015 is ideal with refined cuisine: noble fish, roasted poultry, shellfish, or lightly truffled dishes. Its balance between fullness and freshness makes it a perfect companion for dishes with a fine texture and clean taste.
- Gougères with aged Comté cheese
- Crab blinis
- Sea bass tartare
- Lobster roasted in brown butter
- Truffled free-range poultry
- Morel mushroom risotto
- Thin pear and almond tart
- Lemon soufflé
- Light rum baba
Storage and serving
Storing this vintage
Store at 10–12°C in a dark, humid cellar, with the bottle lying down to preserve the cork. La Grande Sendrée 2015, already expressive, will gain complexity over the years, developing notes of dried fruit and honey, while retaining its mineral tension.
Aging potential
Optimal window: 2025–2040. Between 2025 and 2030, the wine offers all its fruity brilliance and chalky tension. From 2031 to 2037, it will round out with notes of hazelnut, wax, and gingerbread. From 2038 onwards, it will gain a more vinous and slightly honeyed dimension, while remaining vibrant. A cuvée built to last.
How to serve La Grande Sendrée 2015?
Serve at 10°C in tulip glasses with a wide opening. Open 15 minutes before tasting to allow the wine to breathe. At the table, its finesse and balance reveal their full harmony with delicate gourmet dishes.
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