Champagne Drappier Clarevallis Organic Extra Brut NV
The nose opens with floral violet and elderberry notes, giving way to flavours of berries and spiced orange on the palate. The ripe fruit is beautifully complemented by the moreish salinity that comes through on the finish.
The grapes come from organically farmed vineyards, tilled in part by horse, and planted on Jurrasic Kimmeridgian limestone soils on the hillsides of Urville.
Only the juice from the first pressing – the cuvée – was used, and was transferred to tank by gravity. After a natural settling, the alcoholic fermentation took place over two weeks at a low temperature, followed by complete, natural malolactic fermentation. The wine received a low dosage of 4g/l and only minimal addition of sulphur.
| RRP | £64.25 |
| Vintage | NV |
| Alcoholic strength | 12.0% |
| Country | France |
| Region | Champagne |
| Grapes | Pinot Noir 75%, Chardonnay 10%, Pinot Meunier 10%, Pinot Blanc 5% |
| Dry/Sweet value | 1 |
| Contains sulphites | Yes |
| Vegetarian | Yes |
| Vegan | Yes |
| Organic | No |
| Biodynamic | No |
| Closure | Mushroom cork |
For one of Champagne’s most forward-thinking producers, Drappier has no shortage of historic roots. An eighth-generation family business, the house was founded in 1808, and occupies magnificent twelfth-century cellars built by Cistercian monks. Having spearheaded the revival of Pinot Noir in the region, in the 1930s, Drappier continued to innovate. Rosé in a clear bottle was introduced in 1968; extremely low levels of sulphur are used, and there is even a no-added-sulphur cuvée made; the liqueur d’expédition is matured for over fifteen years in oak and demi-johns; and Drappier is the only house to ferment every format, from half-bottles up to the gigantic 30-litre Melchisédech, in the bottle in which it is sold.
