Visit Joseph Drouhin – tasting the white 2016s from cask

Second round of 2016s from Maison Joseph Drouhin .. to the whites ..

The tasting was conducted by Veronique Drouhin .. at the head office in Beaune – check also the article about the excellent red 2016s.

The whites are as the reds influenced by the difficult conditions in 2016 – mainly yields are low – due to both the frost and the mildew. So relatively large variation in yields from wine to wine … and presumably even within the plots used for the individual wines.

The good thing is that the overall quality is fine for the whites (as for the reds) but the style is showing some variation, as the changing yield levels are influencing the expression of the wines. See the vintage report for the white 2016 Burgundies for more info.

With a large portfolio like Drouhin wines have different roles or purposes, some are collectors items, others are wines made in relatively large quantities to be a predictable and reliable source of whites and reds for professionals.

In general I find the 2016s appealing and balanced with a nice freshness and energy after the rich and somewhat generous 2015s.

The white 2016s from Joseph Drouhin

I had the opportunity to taste the following whites at Joseph Drouhin – they do make more wines – but this is indeed a large selection of the wines. I also tasted a few wines from the Drouhin estate in Chablis – see comment below.

• Joseph Drouhin, Macon-Bussières Les Clos 2016
• Joseph Drouhin, Saint-Vèran 2016
• Joseph Drouhin, Poully-Vinzelles 2016
• Joseph Drouhin, Rully Blanc 2016
• Joseph Drouhin, Montagny 2016
• Joseph Drouhin, Meursault 2016
• Joseph Drouhin, Puligny-Montrachet 2016
• Joseph Drouhin, Chassagne-Montrachet 2016
• Joseph Drouhin, Puligny Montrachet Folatières 2016
• Joseph Drouhin, Chassagne-Montrachet Embazées 2016
• Joseph Drouhin, Beaune Clos des Mouches Blanc 2016
• Joseph Drouhin, Meursault Les Perrières 2016
• Joseph Drouhin, Chassagne-Montrachet Morgeot Marquis de Laguiche 2016
• Joseph Drouhin, Corton Charlemagne Owned 2016
• Joseph Drouhin, Montrachet Marquis de Laguiche 2016

Compared to other large producers Drouhin seem to have a fine consistency style wise seen over the lineup produced – not easy in a vintage like 2016 I might add.

The wines seem to be textbook examples of the different terroirs – often also showing a relatively gentle hand in the winemaking. The style is on the elegant and light-footed side, truly Burgundian – and not trying to make concentrated and big wines.

Starting out with the southern appellations … the Macon-Bussières Les Clos 2016, the Saint-Vèran 2016 and the Poully-Vinzelles 2016 are harmonious and balanced wines.

It’s quite impressive that Drouhin have managed to keep the elegant and pure style in these wines under the difficult conditions in 2016. Macon is really out of my range – but do find that the Rully and the Montagny are more within the normal habitat of Sus Scrofa Burgundia – also know as the Winehog. So this is where I will start … in Rully!

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Tasting Notes for this producer

• Maison Joseph Drouhin, Musigny 1993 March 30, 2018
• Maison Joseph Drouhin, Le Montrachet Marquis de Laguiche 2015 March 30, 2018
• Maison Joseph Drouhin, Musigny 2015 March 30, 2018
• Maison Joseph Drouhin, Clos de Vougeot 2014 May 25, 2016
• Maison Joseph Drouhin, Echezeaux 2014 May 25, 2016
• Joseph Drouhin, Meursault Goutte d’Or 1964 December 23, 2014
• Joseph Drouhin, Pommard Les Boucherottes 1962 December 21, 2014
• Joseph Drouhin, Vosne Romanee Petits-Monts 2007 October 9, 2011

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