Champagne Drappier Millésime d’Exception 2019 is a masterful interpretation of a sunny year, tamed by the expertise of Maison d'Urville. This vintage cuvée, the result of a precise blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, embodies the meeting of the natural richness of a hot summer and the mineral freshness of limestone soils. Aged largely in wood and with very little dosage, it is a wine of character, combining power, density, and remarkable aromatic purity. A bottle tailor-made for gastronomy, reflecting the authenticity and rigor of the Drappier family.
The making of the 2019 Millésime d'Exception
The blend is based on a complementary duo: 60% Pinot Noir for structure and substance, the signature of the House, and 40% Chardonnay for tension and elegance. True to its "natural" philosophy, Drappier uses gentle pressing (only the first pressing is kept) and gravity-fed vinification, without pumping, to preserve the integrity of the must. The wine is unfiltered and the use of sulfur is kept to a strict minimum.
The Terroir
The vines are rooted in the Jurassic limestone soils typical of the Urville region, where Kimmeridgian and chalk alternate. This well-drained substrate ensures a regular water supply, which is essential in hot years such as 2019, and gives the wine its characteristic salinity. Viticulture is sustainable and promotes biological life in the soil.
Vinification
The uniqueness of this cuvée lies in its aging: 60% of the wines are aged in wood, in Tronçais oak casks and barrels from the local Temple forest. This aging on natural lees brings complexity and stability. Malolactic fermentation is carried out in its entirety to soften the structure. After bottling, the wine is aged for four years on slats to refine its bubbles. The dosage is adjusted to 5 g/L, an Extra-Brut that does not say its name, preserving its freshness.
The 2019 vintage
2019 will be remembered as a year of climatic contrasts, marked by hot and dry spells. These conditions promoted natural concentration of the berries and thickening of the skins, delivering grapes of exceptional ripeness and perfect health. The Exceptional Vintage 2019 captures this solar energy while retaining, thanks to the chalky terroirs, remarkable precision and integrity.
Tasting notes
Color
The color is a deep, brilliant gold, reflecting the richness of the Pinot Noir and the sunny conditions of the year. The effervescence is fine and creamy.
Nose
The nose is complex and generous. It opens with notes of ripe stone fruit (vine peach, mirabelle plum) and quince jelly. Aging in wood brings subtle hints of sweet spices, vanilla, and a slight toasted patina.
Palate
On the palate, the wine combines power and density. The texture is rich, structured by Pinot Noir, but immediately balanced by the freshness of Chardonnay. The finish is long, precise and salty, carried by a noble bitterness and aromas of candied fruit.
Food pairing
- Comté cheese gougères
- Scallop carpaccio
- Pata Negra ham
- Bresse chicken with cream sauce
- Veal sweetbreads with morel mushrooms
- Roasted turbot with beurre blanc
- Chaource (local cheese)
- Comté aged 24 months
- Thin apricot tart
Storage and serving recommendations
How should this champagne be stored?
This vintage should be stored horizontally, away from light and in a cool cellar (40-54°F). Thanks to its tannic structure (from the wood and Pinot grapes) and acidity, it has excellent aging potential of 8 to 10 years.
Aging potential
- 2025–2028: The wine expresses its sunny generosity and aromatic precision (phase of fruity fullness).
- 2029–2032: It gains complexity, developing notes of beeswax, honey, and toast (flourishing phase).
- From 2033 onwards: The wine reaches its tertiary maturity, offering exceptional depth and patina (complexity phase).
Serving suggestions
Serve this champagne chilled but not ice cold, at around 7°C. A full-bodied white wine glass is recommended to allow the density of the Pinot Noir and the freshness of the Chardonnay to balance harmoniously.
Anecdote about this cuvée
Maison Drappier attaches particular importance to the origin of its barrels. Some of the wood used to age this Millésime d'Exception comes from the Forêt du Temple, a historic local forest once managed by the Knights Templar, located near Urville. This is a way for the Drappier family to further anchor its wines in the history and terroir of the Aube region.
