An Evening with Laurent Drouhin

USQ
Tasted Thursday, December 8, 2011 by pifcho with 658 views

Introduction

I really enjoyed the evening with Laurent Drouhin. Very friendly and engaging he told us a lot of good stories about his wines and seems like he is very passionate about what he does. The wines showed well, in line with their hierarchy, although it feels like this is a vintage, where the differential between bourgogne and premier cru is not as wide as in a typical vintage. The 2008 Clos St Denis felt like it clearly got the better of the 2009s.

As a side note, Laurent said that the 2009s are fully sold and they are having a very tough time allocating the 2010s, where demand for the 1er and Grand crus far outstrips the tiny quantities that were produced.

Flight 1 (10 Notes)

  • 2010 Joseph Drouhin Saint Véran 87 Points

    France, Burgundy, Mâconnais, Saint Véran

    Nice clean and fresh. Pretty good weight for its appellation. Works pretty well as a cocktail wine under $15. 86-88

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  • 2008 Joseph Drouhin / Drouhin-Vaudon Chablis 1er Cru 90 Points

    France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru

    Very well defined and precise. Minerals and lemon on the palate. Clean and long finish. A good value under $25. 90-91...

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  • 2009 Joseph Drouhin Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Mouches Blanc 90 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Beaune 1er Cru

    This is very rich (almost California like), but very clean and precise. Rich nose that shows a good dose of oak and a creamy texture. Came across as a tad too flabby - I think a little more acidity would have made this spectacular, but it is quite nice as is. Laurent thinks that this will age quite well. The average age of the vines is about 45 years. 89-92

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  • 2009 Joseph Drouhin Moulin-à-Vent 88 Points

    France, Burgundy, Beaujolais, Moulin-à-Vent

    This was an interesting showing. To my palate this came across as very pinot-esque and much lighter than most 2009s. Nice clean flavors and well delineated fruit, but lacked some energy. Maybe just a dumb phase?

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  • 2009 Joseph Drouhin Côte de Nuits Villages 87 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Côte de Nuits Villages

    The lightest of the 2009s that we tasted, this was true to its appellation and would make for a good lunch wine. Simple but tasty. I was surprised to hear this gets 15% new oak. Fruit is mostly from Marsannay and Fixin.

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  • 2009 Joseph Drouhin Chambolle-Musigny 90 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny

    My favorite among the Vosne and Gevrey villages. Ellegant, floral and feminine. Tough to place this as a 2009 - has more of a 2008 profile. Laurent thought it was the tightest of the three wines tonight - I think this will be a beauty in 5 years. 90+

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  • 2009 Joseph Drouhin Vosne-Romanée 89 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée

    Spicy! It's funny how the three villages tonight showed exactly like they were supposed to, even in a vintage like 2009, which is supposed to hide terroir a little. Very rich fruit, but not as well defined and focused as the Chambolle. 25% new oak. 88-90

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  • 2009 Joseph Drouhin Gevrey-Chambertin 88 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin

    True to its origins, this was more rustic than both the Chambolle and the Vosne. With slightly rough tannins and a lot of meaty flavors. Tonight my least favorite of the 3 villages. A pretty good amount of fruit and tannins here, so I wouldn't be surprised if this turns out pretty good in 10 years or so. 87-89+

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  • 2009 Joseph Drouhin Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Mouches Rouge 92 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Beaune 1er Cru

    The best of the 2009 reds that we tried tonight. Very nice concentration and structure here. Expressive nose that had a lot of tobacco. Blackberry, yeast and minerals on the palate. Quite long and pretty tasty. This should age very well. 91-93

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  • 2008 Joseph Drouhin Clos St. Denis 93 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos St. Denis Grand Cru

    No detailed note, but this was the WOTN. Rich with lively acidity and perfect balance. Clearly grand cru. 93+

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