Joseph Drouhin Clos des Mouches Blanc, Beaune Premier Cru, France 2022

Tasting by Véronique Boss-Drouhin

An outstanding wine. Pale yellow colour. Complex floral nose of white lilac and white rose. Once open, fruity aromas come to the fore, evolving towards grilled hazelnut and almond. When the wine is more mature, the nose is surprisingly strong and fifteen minutes of aeration produce wonderful notes of white truffle, citron (cedrat), honey and nutmeg, elegantly meshed together. Very lively on the palate. Its rich texture is in evidence, but also its structure and minerality. It is round, but never heavy. Harmonious fullness in the aftertaste. This wine allies remarkably the complexity and elegance of a Bâtard-Montrachet with the power of a Corton-Charlemagne.

Site: at the southern end of the Beaune appellation, next to Pommard. The Drouhin vineyard is at mid-slope, on a mild incline with an east/south east exposure. It is the largest parcel of the Clos des Mouches (14 hectares - 35 acres), one half planted with chardonnay, the other with pinot noir.

"Aromas of buttered orchard fruit, orange blossom, baking spices and toasted nuts introduce the 2022 Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Mouches Blanc (Domaine), with a medium to full-bodied, ample and satiny palate that's fleshy and layered while retaining nice tension and cut. The Drouhin's seven hectares of Chardonnay in this premier cru were harvested over 15 days." Wine Advocate 92-94