Drouhin Clos des Mouches Vertical Dinner (+) with the Drouhins

Laurent Drouhin brought his wife, Beatrice, to Chicago for her first ever visit, which was a great excuse to dig into the cellar and share with some friends.

• 2008 Louis Roederer Champagne Cristal Brut Rosé 96 Points

  France, Champagne

  Wow, what a charming wine. Apple, pear and berry with so much density and concentration and finish that seemingly doesn't end. So, so memorable. "96 points" may understate its potential.

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• 1999 Joseph Drouhin Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Mouches Blanc 89 Points

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

  In 99/00/04 flight. Probably slightly past its peak, but still rich and wonderfully concentrated with mature peach and peach cobbler. Better with richer food than on its own.

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• 2000 Joseph Drouhin Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Mouches Blanc 92 Points

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

  In 99/00/04 flight. Elegantly floral with apple and pear start-to-finish. Bright and vibrant with lots of tension. My favorite of the flight.

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• 2004 Joseph Drouhin Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Mouches Blanc 91 Points

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

  In 99/00/04 flight. Floral notes with cross-section of orchard fruit. So charming to start, this ever-so-slowly matured in glass in a rather intriguing manner. Best to enjoy over the next 3-5 years.

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• 2008 Joseph Drouhin Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Mouches Blanc 91 Points

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

  Ripe apple with lemon curd. Wonderfully balanced and enjoyable from start-to-finish, possibly slightly lacking nuance. Better / fresher vs another bottle from 2017.

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• 2005 Joseph Drouhin Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Mouches Blanc 90 Points

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

  Ripe apple and pear with some perfumed note. On the mature side, but still good for the vintage. I enjoyed this a lot, but it suffered from being alongside its "l'Ouvrée des Dames" version, also from 2005.

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• 2005 Joseph Drouhin Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Mouches Blanc l'Ouvrée des Dames 95 Points

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

  My first time trying this wine (I bought 2 of the white/red 2-packs shortly after release) and what an amazing surprise. Restrained aromatic start with ripe apple and spice hints, that slowly nudged forward over the course of a few hours. Palate was stunning, showing so much density and length that I would certainly have thought this a great Grand Cru if served blind. While ripe, this also had so much structure and energy that I would have thought from a much better white Burgundy vintage. A great wine that will last for a long time. I plan to open my remaining bottle alongside its red "l'Ouvrée des Dames" boxmate around 2025.

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• 2006 Joseph Drouhin Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Mouches Blanc Flawed

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

  Corked.

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• 1998 Joseph Drouhin Clos St. Denis 89 Points

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

  Opened 3 hours before serving. Mature red fruit on nose and palate with some earth and braised meat spice. Laurent found this characteristic of Clos St Denis' masculine nature, which made me think my personal reference points (Dujac and Ponsot) might typically feature as much producer style vs terroir.

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• 2000 Joseph Drouhin Clos Vougeot 91 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Clos Vougeot Grand Cru

  Opened 3 hours before serving. More red vs black fruit with sweet fruit and savory spice and faint background mint. Great nose, good palate. Very good overall now.

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• 2002 Joseph Drouhin Griotte-Chambertin 92 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Griotte-Chambertin Grand Cru

  Opened 3 hours before serving. This might have benefited from a decant. Red and black berries with floral and spice hints with some roasted game. Nicely accessible and balanced, even if ever-so-slightly backward on finish. Upside from here.

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• 2007 Aubert Chardonnay Lauren Estate Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Small glass from another table, brief note. Great stone and tropical fruit with excellent concentration and length. New oak still seems to slightly protrude and dominate.

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• 2005 Louis Jadot Corton-Pougets Domaine des Héritiers Louis Jadot Flawed

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton Grand Cru

  Small glass from the next table, this was terribly corked.

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• 2011 Hundred Acre Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Few and Far Between

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Late night, served to us blind. Clearly ultra ripe New World, with lots of sweet black fruit and almost equally sweet spice. Rounded textures. Fun and very tasty. I didn't think this was Cabernet. As I said, late night.

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