Drappier : Quattuor Blanc de Quatre Blancs

The NV Brut Blanc de Quatre Blancs Quattuor is laced with hazelnuts, almonds, orange peel, and dried pears. There is an attractive, oxidative quality that makes the NV Quatre Blancs quite appealing. A gracious, crystalline finish adds considerable finesse and weightlessness to this expressive, layered Champagne. The wine keeps getting better with time in the glass, so some advance aeration is probably a good idea. Disgorgement date: July 2012

With fruit from the Aube and from the Côte des Blancs, Drappier has been able to put together a blend of Chardonnay from four different vineyards. In taste, warmth dominates—this is not a hugely crisp wine, the richness prevailing. But the warm pear and peach flavors all come together, a wine that is in the Drappier pure fruit style.