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An Evening with Laurent Drouhin
USQ
Tasted December 8, 2011 by pifcho with 666 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)
White
2010 Joseph Drouhin Saint Véran
87 points
Nice clean and fresh. Pretty good weight for its appellation. Works pretty well as a cocktail wine under $15. 86-88
White
2008 Joseph Drouhin / Drouhin-Vaudon Chablis 1er Cru
90 points
Very well defined and precise. Minerals and lemon on the palate. Clean and long finish. A good value under $25. 90-91...
White
2009 Joseph Drouhin Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Mouches Blanc
90 points
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
Red
2009 Joseph Drouhin Moulin-à-Vent
88 points
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?
Red
2009 Joseph Drouhin Côte de Nuits Villages
87 points
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.
Red
2009 Joseph Drouhin Chambolle-Musigny
90 points
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+
Red
2009 Joseph Drouhin Vosne-Romanée
89 points
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
Red
2009 Joseph Drouhin Gevrey-Chambertin
88 points
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+
Red
2009 Joseph Drouhin Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Mouches Rouge
92 points
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
Red
2008 Joseph Drouhin Clos St. Denis
93 points
No detailed note, but this was the WOTN. Rich with lively acidity and perfect balance. Clearly grand cru. 93+
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