Founded in 1808 by François Drappier, the house has become one of the most important names in the Aube, farming roughly 55 hectares with a strong emphasis on Pinot Noir and a long-standing commitment to sustainable and organic viticulture. The Kimmeridgian limestone soils of the Côte des Bar, the same geological formation found in the Grand Crus of Chablis, give Drappier’s Champagnes their characteristic depth, structure, and mineral backbone. Today we have a particularly rare bottle from the house’s late-release Oenothèque program: the 2005 Réserve de l’Oenothèque, now among the final bottles remaining at the domaine. These wines are held back in Drappier’s historic cellars and disgorged in small batches only when the family believes a vintage has reached a compelling stage of development. The 2005 is a blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay and spent more than 16 years aging on its lees before being disgorged in June 2023 with a very low dosage of just 4 grams per liter. It was a generous vintage, particularly successful for Pinot Noir, yet the wines retained enough acidity and structure to make them excellent candidates for extended cellar aging. Now with more than two decades since harvest, the wine shows candied citrus, quince, baked orchard fruit, dried flowers, toasted nuts, brioche, and spice, with a rich, vinous palate balanced by remarkable freshness, fine mousse, and lingering salinity. This is a fantastic look at mature 2005 Champagne through the lens of a recent disgorgement, and we have excellent pricing today on some of the only bottles available in the United States. Given the vintage, age, and rarity, it is an exceptional buy!
Jeb Dunnuck 98 points! "The 2005 Champagne Oenothèque Brut is fabulous today, pouring a fresh, youthful medium yellow hue. The color has not deepened with age, and the wine offers notes of custard and hazelnut yet remains remarkably fresh for a 20-year-old wine. It has intensity but is weightless and refined, with a creamy mousse and no bitterness. A stunning and beautiful wine that’s in the market today, I would encourage seeking it out. Composed of 75% Pinot Noir, 10% Meunier, and 15% Chardonnay, disgorged in June 2023. 4-5 grams per liter dosage. 2005 was better here than in the Marne. Showing beautifully, this vintage is in the old glass; they now use recycled glass."
Decanter 96 points! "While initially toasty on the nose, with a bit of air it reveals sumptuous notes of orange rind, bitter marmalade, fleshy nectarine and warm citrus. Despite its richness it's still structured, the mousse forming a complex architecture. Some notes of toasted nuts and bruised apple emerge on the finish. I really like the tension that this wine still shows. The Drappier family's Oenothèque range offers a unique glimpse at rare older vintages long-aged on the lees, disgorged as and when required. (Drink between 2025-2035)"
Jeb Dunnuck 98 points! "The 2005 Champagne Oenothèque Brut is fabulous today, pouring a fresh, youthful medium yellow hue. The color has not deepened with age, and the wine offers notes of custard and hazelnut yet remains remarkably fresh for a 20-year-old wine. It has intensity but is weightless and refined, with a creamy mousse and no bitterness. A stunning and beautiful wine that’s in the market today, I would encourage seeking it out. Composed of 75% Pinot Noir, 10% Meunier, and 15% Chardonnay, disgorged in June 2023. 4-5 grams per liter dosage. 2005 was better here than in the Marne. Showing beautifully, this vintage is in the old glass; they now use recycled glass."
2005 Drappier Champagne Réserve de l'Oenothèque
2005 Drappier Champagne Réserve de l'Oenothèque
Founded in 1808 by François Drappier, the house has become one of the most important names in the Aube, farming roughly 55 hectares with a strong emphasis on Pinot Noir and a long-standing commitment to sustainable and organic viticulture. The Kimmeridgian limestone soils of the Côte des Bar, the same geological formation found in the Grand Crus of Chablis, give Drappier’s Champagnes their characteristic depth, structure, and mineral backbone. Today we have a particularly rare bottle from the house’s late-release Oenothèque program: the 2005 Réserve de l’Oenothèque, now among the final bottles remaining at the domaine. These wines are held back in Drappier’s historic cellars and disgorged in small batches only when the family believes a vintage has reached a compelling stage of development. The 2005 is a blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay and spent more than 16 years aging on its lees before being disgorged in June 2023 with a very low dosage of just 4 grams per liter. It was a generous vintage, particularly successful for Pinot Noir, yet the wines retained enough acidity and structure to make them excellent candidates for extended cellar aging. Now with more than two decades since harvest, the wine shows candied citrus, quince, baked orchard fruit, dried flowers, toasted nuts, brioche, and spice, with a rich, vinous palate balanced by remarkable freshness, fine mousse, and lingering salinity. This is a fantastic look at mature 2005 Champagne through the lens of a recent disgorgement, and we have excellent pricing today on some of the only bottles available in the United States. Given the vintage, age, and rarity, it is an exceptional buy!
Jeb Dunnuck 98 points! "The 2005 Champagne Oenothèque Brut is fabulous today, pouring a fresh, youthful medium yellow hue. The color has not deepened with age, and the wine offers notes of custard and hazelnut yet remains remarkably fresh for a 20-year-old wine. It has intensity but is weightless and refined, with a creamy mousse and no bitterness. A stunning and beautiful wine that’s in the market today, I would encourage seeking it out. Composed of 75% Pinot Noir, 10% Meunier, and 15% Chardonnay, disgorged in June 2023. 4-5 grams per liter dosage. 2005 was better here than in the Marne. Showing beautifully, this vintage is in the old glass; they now use recycled glass."
Decanter 96 points! "While initially toasty on the nose, with a bit of air it reveals sumptuous notes of orange rind, bitter marmalade, fleshy nectarine and warm citrus. Despite its richness it's still structured, the mousse forming a complex architecture. Some notes of toasted nuts and bruised apple emerge on the finish. I really like the tension that this wine still shows. The Drappier family's Oenothèque range offers a unique glimpse at rare older vintages long-aged on the lees, disgorged as and when required. (Drink between 2025-2035)"
Jeb Dunnuck 98 points! "The 2005 Champagne Oenothèque Brut is fabulous today, pouring a fresh, youthful medium yellow hue. The color has not deepened with age, and the wine offers notes of custard and hazelnut yet remains remarkably fresh for a 20-year-old wine. It has intensity but is weightless and refined, with a creamy mousse and no bitterness. A stunning and beautiful wine that’s in the market today, I would encourage seeking it out. Composed of 75% Pinot Noir, 10% Meunier, and 15% Chardonnay, disgorged in June 2023. 4-5 grams per liter dosage. 2005 was better here than in the Marne. Showing beautifully, this vintage is in the old glass; they now use recycled glass."
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