The Drouhin family remain a strong force in Burgundy with their négociant and vineyard business continuing to go from strength to strength. Brother and sister Philippe and Veronique manage the vineyards and cellar respectively, with their siblings Frédéric and Laurent overseeing the commercial side of the estate. A huge range of wines are made, vinified from fruit that the family buy from across Burgundy, from their own holdings (labelled ‘Domaine Drouhin’), and from the esteemed Marquis de Laguiche vineyards which they have farmed for decades. The family show meticulous control in both vineyard and cellar; it is impossible not to admire their careful approach to extraction of both flavour and tannin, as well as their philosophy towards ageing in barrel, where they even oversee the selection of the oak before instructing the cooperage to fashion their barrels. They display a very deft touch in their winemaking that many of their peers could do well to emulate.
2017 Puligny-Montrachet, Joseph Drouhin
£ 240 per 6 bottle case in bond
A gentle, restrained nose with a honeyed, citrus oil character and a glossy mouthfeel. Precise and taut, there is a sense of minerality throughout, yet with the ripe fruit nuances of the vintage giving a lovely balance and juicy fruit breadth on the palate. Beautifully crafted villages Puligny. Drink 2020-2026
2017 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru, Clos de la Garenne, Joseph Drouhin
£ 345 per 6 bottle case in bond
Lifted aromas of fennel and aniseed on the nose. Clean, pure and floral with notes of crushed lime and powdered limestone. The palate then shows an unexpected opulence and weight on the attack with a juicy, mouth-watering quality asserting itself, bringing freshness. The finish then tightens, with a stony, flinty, mineral energy and focus. Drink 2022-2028
2017 Meursault 1er Cru, Les Charmes, Joseph Drouhin
£ 360 per 6 bottle case in bond - SOLD OUT
Scented almond and white nectarine notes with a hint of apricot. This elegant fruit style follows through to the palate though there is a round, mouth-filling and flowing nature with a juicy fruit freshness. A touch of viscosity, framed by a rich, powerful broad swathe of fruit. Tension emerges at the end, giving life and focus. Harmony and balanced, a fine Meursault. Drink 2022-2028
2017 Beaune Blanc 1er Cru, Clos des Mouches, Joseph Drouhin
£ 470 per 6 bottle case in bond
An aromatic nose, with lemon and lime zest. The palate has an opulent, glossy quality with yellow fruit and a smoky touch. A gentle minerality throughout with plenty of freshness. The long finish is wonderfully linear. All elegance and poise, showing incredible persistence and sense of harmony, this Clos des Mouches stands out. Drink 2022-2028
2017 Montrachet Grand Cru, Marquis de Laguiche, Joseph Drouhin
£ 2350 per 6 bottle case in bond - SOLD OUT
A dense and powerful palate, with a silkiness of texture throughout. With both honeyed and leesy elements, there is beautiful concentration and a great sense of harmony on the palate. A fine, elegant finish. Oily and yet still fresh and precise, the 2017 shows great pedigree. Although currently subdued, there is fine potential. Drink 2023-2033
2017 Beaune 1er Cru, Clos des Mouches, Joseph Drouhin
£ 375 per 6 bottle case in bond
The Clos des Mouches offers sweet-coated summer berry fruit on the nose and palate. There is a lovely intensity to the fruit here, which balances ebullience and a well-defined purity. The tannins are fine and ripe. This is hugely impressive once again; broad, rounded and very complete. Drink 2022-2028
2017 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru, Joseph Drouhin
£ 370 per 6 bottle case in bond - SOLD OUT
There is a real sense of elegance to the scented, floral nose with aromas of cherry and almond blossom. On the palate a taut, mineral attack gives way to dark cherry and dusky fruit, remaining elegant and fresh. The tannins are very fine and underpin the moreish fruit. Seductive and concentrated, a fine showing of Chambolle-Musigny. Drink 2022-2030
2017 Vosne-Romanee 1er Cru, Les Petits Monts, Joseph Drouhin
£ 990 per 6 bottle case in bond - SOLD OUT
Perfumed and intense with a lovely broad swathe of fruit. Dark and silky with both fine tannins and appealing concentration. An expressive and attractive wine with a seamless texture. There are hints of spice here and a marked mineral finish. A very detailed, precise Petit Monts this year. Drink 2023-2033
2017 Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru, Joseph Drouhin
£ 840 per 6 bottle case in bond
Intense fruit with a brooding quality is expressed on the nose. There is a fine depth to the dark fruits; super juicy, intensely powerful with good structure and intensity. Very fine tannins and a long finish round off this impressive effort. A little more depth to the Charmes in 2017. Drink 2022-2028
2017 Griotte-Chambertin Grand Cru, Joseph Drouhin
£ 1700 per 6 bottle case in bond - SOLD OUT
Possibly one of the gems of the Drouhin range, the 2017 Griotte is perhaps not as intense as the Charmes, but what it lacks in intensity it makes up for in finesse. Gracious, sleek in style, with mid-weight fruit, more markedly mineral than the Charmes. Very pure, with a fine underlying freshness, this is a very classy Griotte. Drink 2024-2032
2017 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru, Joseph Drouhin
£990 per 6 bottle case in bond
An expressive nose, floral and with notes of creamy cherry and darker berry fruits. A flowing palate with good volume. Silky and yet persistent with good balance and structure. The tannins are extremely fine and there is a controlled sense of power that comes through in the mineral-laden finish which shows great energy. Drink 2022-2028
2017 Chambertin Clos de Bèze Grand Cru, Joseph Drouhin
£ 1800 per 6 bottle case in bond - SOLD OUT
Roasted meat juices add complexity to dusky berry fruit notes. The palate shows minerality, with a juicy layered quality to its fruit. Certainly, a multi-faceted wine, with wood spice and admirable intensity. Blackcurrants and blackberries are to the fore. Fine depth, really well-balanced and the tannins are rounded and elegant, leading to a very long finish. There is so much to like here. Drink 2024-2032
2017 Musigny Grand Cru, Joseph Drouhin
£ 2650 per 6 bottle case in bond - SOLD OUT
A little reserved on the nose, with a floral note. Black and red fruits and lively fruitcake space. There is depth and richness, with a sense of layered elegance and a refined long finish striking a wonderful balance. This is pretty much the archetypal ‘iron fist in the velvet glove’. Excellent example of just how good Musigny can be, combining as it does power and finesse. Drink 2026- 2034.