Drappier, Carte d’Or 1959

PV Tasting Notes

This masterpiece is quite probably the single finest bottle of Champagne in the world right now, and it is the last single bottle remaining. This is a towering effort, breathtaking from every direction, a monumental wine possessing incredibly vibrancy, textural finesse, complexity and superb depth to its layered base tones of hazelnut, coffee, caramel, white truffle and fresh soil, the tertiary notes here are married to the intensely rich ripe fruit of peach and semi-dried apricot which wholly envelopes the palate. While this is more than 50 years old and now fully matured, the mousse retains surprising elegance I feel it still has another decade-plus of fine drinking ahead of it before it develops fully oxidized tones. This bottle was disgorged in 1999. Anticipated maturity: now-2020. Tasted Oct 2011.

98 Points The Wine Spectator Oct 1999
One in a millennium. Beautifully balanced, extremely flavorful yet lively, this elegant, mature Champagne has plenty of life left. Combines toasty, earthy nuances with rich fruit flavors and a lingering finish. Drink now through 2010. 55 cases made.

Fresh Oysters.