Drappier Millésime Exception 2018 Champagne

Ruth Banks - Solid champagne, nothing wrong with it

7/10

Served this at our engagement party. It's clean and precise, does the job well. Everyone enjoyed it but nobody was raving about it either — think it's maybe more of a sit-and-savour wine than a party pourer. Good quality though, the acidity keeps it fresh and interesting.

Kenji Watanabe - The wine shop guy was right

8/10

Went in looking for something around £50 and got talked up to this Drappier. Glad I listened honestly. It's got this purity to it that's hard to describe — just really well made without trying too hard. Opened up beautifully after about 10 minutes in the glass.

Freya Lindqvist - Wow this is elegant

9/10

I've been getting more into champagne lately and this is probably the best I've tried at home. It's structured but not heavy, fruity but not sweet, and the finish just lingers in the best way. The 2018 vintage clearly had something going for it. Already planning to buy another for Christmas.

Marcus Blackwell - Birthday treat that delivered

9/10

Bought this for my 40th and it was genuinely special. Really clean and fresh, not one of those heavy biscuity champagnes that all taste the same. The bubbles are fine and it just keeps giving — I kept going back for another sip without thinking about it. Worth the splurge for a milestone.

Gianluca Ferro - Impressed my in-laws

8/10

Brought this to Sunday lunch and even my father-in-law who thinks he knows everything about wine was impressed. It's got real character without being showy — just confident and well put together. The finish is the best part, really clean and it makes you want another glass. At 12.5% you can actually have a couple without falling asleep on the sofa too.

Yuki Nakamura - Great with seafood

8/10

Opened this with a big platter of oysters and prawns and it was a perfect match. The bright acidity cuts right through and it's got enough going on to hold your attention between bites. Drappier don't get enough love compared to the big names — this is seriously good champagne.

Nils Bergman - Proper champagne this

8/10

Had this at a friend's dinner party and had to track down a bottle myself. There's a real depth to it that builds as you drink, layers of fruit with a bright acidity that keeps it lively. At £69.50 it's not cheap but it's a genuine step up from the usual suspects.

Elena Vasquez - Nice but not sure it's £70 nice

7/10

Good champagne, no doubt. Clean finish, well balanced, not too sweet. But at nearly seventy quid I expected to be a bit more blown away? I've had proseccos at a third of the price that I've enjoyed just as much on a Friday night. One for special occasions maybe.