Drappier Grande Sendrée 2010

What

The most established house in the Côte des Bar founded in 1808, now in its seventh generation and still family-owned.

Where

Urville, Côte des Bar; 62 hectares of estate vineyards, primarily pinot noir, mainly in the Côte des Bar but also the Marne Valley. Grande Sendrée is a series of Urville plots buried under cinders during an 1836 fire.

Why

The house’s prestige cuvée is made from vines grown on Kimmeridgian soils (like those in Chablis), farmed organically and made with very gentle handling (gravity flow, natural settling, low sulphites). There is light oak influence, with 1/3 matured in barrel and 15 years ageing in oak for the liqueur de tirage. The unusual bottle shape is based on a Louis XV flagon.

What else

It was the favourite champagne house of Charles de Gaulle. It was the first house to be carbon neutral. Its cellars are some of Champagne’s oldest, built by Cistercian monks in 1152.

Tasting Notes

The nose is equal parts fruity (yellow peach, melon and satsuma) and savoury (straw, yeast and broth). There is quite a volatile, cidery lift but underneath lies a fresh, yellow fruit generosity. It never seems to gain that much weight though and acetic acid washes the whole palate rather than driving determinedly forward.

Try It With 

Sushi with roe or uni.

When To Drink

Entrées or cheese.

Perfect For

Your sibling or best friend.

Tatler Tip

This holds up beautifully in the fridge under a stopper, becoming cleaner-fruited, golden and toasty.

TL/DR

Fruity + savoury in equal measure.

Supplier

Ponti Wine Cellars