Drappier Brut Nature Zero Dosage NV

Tatler Champagne Guide 2024-2025

Grape Makeup:

100% Pinot Noir

Sweetness Level:

Brut Nature

Ageing on Lees:

36 months

Price:

$

Cellar:

Five to ten years

Category:

Culinary

What

The most established house in the Côte des Bar, founded in 1808 and still family-owned and operated, is a diehard Pinot Noir specialist.

Where

Urville, Côte des Bar; 60 hectares of estate vineyards, primarily Pinot Noir (70%), with some Meunier (15%) and Chardonnay (9%) among others, with management of 110ha. 17ha are certified organic.

Why

This Blanc de Noirs comes entirely from sustainable, organic estate vineyards in the limestone heartland of the Aube. The Kimmeridgian limestone, from the Jurassic period, is a much older bedrock than is found in the more northerly parts of champagne and is more similar to Chablis’. This naturally produces a riper, more rounded style that handily offsets the extreme dryness of Brut Nature.

What Else

Drappier was the favourite champagne house of Charles de Gaulle and its cellars are some of Champagne’s oldest, built by Cistercian monks in 1152. It was also the first house to become carbon neutral, in 2016.

Tasting Notes

A shimmer of white tea flits across the surface, followed by water lily, aquatic and pretty, with a crystallised ginger, ginger biscuit and sarsaparilla base—an interesting contrast. The charming tension continues on the palate, though here it is more obviously savoury, with a strong dashi quality layered with chenpi and patinaed leather. The froth is intense, but the acid underneath is sharper, cutting through any hint of sweetness. There is a marked chalkiness and wet concrete quality to the finish, squaring it up.

Try It With

Steamed fish with ginger and scallions

When To Drink

Hot entrées or main course

Perfect For

The most francophilic person you know.

Tatler Tip

Drappier is one of the most grower-like houses and should be treated as such

TL/DR

Delicately fragrant over a rich, savoury base

Supplier

East Meets West