Champagne Drappier Millésimé Exception 2012

You know when you find something in the sale that fits you like a glove, is marvellously flattering and a total bargain? Well, this is the Champagne equivalent: marvellously scrumptious, unexpectedly striking and at a totally brilliant price.

Like biting into a freshly baked cinnamon and raisin bun, but with more savoury, spicy notes and a clean acidity that makes it refreshing as well as warmly comforting. Needless to say, it's been a firm staff favourite for quite a wee while.

Champagne Drappier is a family house devoted to Pinot Noir. Within their vineyards they use only natural techniques, no sulphur or very diminutive in the cellars and zero filtration. They yield tremendously expressive, respectable value Champagnes.

Cultivated in as natural way as conceivable, the vineyard spreads over 100 hectares and is the key asset for this house. Since 1808, the Drappier family has designated particularly exposed and highly calcareous plots, mostly located around Urville, where Pinot Noir is able to achieve its finest expression, producing very fragrant and stylish wines.

Only the first press juice is used and the winery uses gravity as oppose to pumping, which avoids oxidation. Sulphur usage is kept to an absolute minimum. Alcoholic fermentation takes places for about two weeks at a low temperature, then the wine undertakes full malolactic fermentation. The wine is not filtered and 50% is aged in barrels for one year. After bottling, the wine is aged for at least five years on its lees.

The 2008 has a very rich and complex nose that blends notes of citrus, bread, hazelnuts and almonds. A touch of vanilla shows the high proportion of Chardonnay, while red fruit and violets come through, showing the depth of Pinot Noir.