Drappier Grande Sendrée 2008 Champagne

There may have been a bit of a blunder with the spelling of the land the Drappier Grande Sendrée is named after, but that's the only fault we can find.

This ravishing pale yellow champagne is deeply complex. Hawthorn and acacia honey blend on the nose with beeswax and marzipan. Murmurs quince jelly and raspberry jam are in alteration with bergamont and warm brioche. Caressing your taste buds are balanced flavours of wild strawberry jam and ripe blood orange from the bead of the wine. This invigorating palate is harmonised with a delicate minerality and bitterness where hints of mandarin oranges come to light.

We don't care whether you spell it with an "S" or a "C", but trust us when we say you don't want to miss out on this 2008 vintage of Grand Sendrée!

Champagne Drappier is an independent family house devout to the Pinot Noir grape. Cultivated in as natural a way as is possible, the vineyards are the key asset for the house and spreads over 100 hectares. Since 1808, the Drappier family have designated exposed and highly calcareous plots, mainly located in and around Urville, where Pinot Noir has the potential to achieve its finest expression, ultimately producing fragrant and stylish wines.

Only natural techniques are used within the vineyards for organic growing, with no sulphur or very diminutive amounts in the cellars and zero amount of filtration for a Champagne of great expression.

Winemaker Michel followed his parents’ footpaths in the industry and studied Viticulture and Oenology in Beaune, Burgundy. Following his studies he worked as oenologist at Piper-Heidsieck in Riems, Chandon-Napa, before finally taking over the winemaking at the family House Drappier in 1979. Ever since, he has used his Burgundian wine education to dedicate his time to producing the best Pinot Noir driven Champagnes.

The Drappiers are passionate winemakers, and some of the most forward-thinking in France, that are devoted to expressing the terrior in Champagne production and their wines reflect the rich history, culture and commitment that have been transmitted through each generation and the wines reflect just that: purity of fruit, balance and expression.