In the areas hit by frost, although later generation grapes largely did catch up to the first generation grapes, substantial triage nevertheless was necessary to eliminate those grapes that did were not fully ripe. Drouhin uses whole clusters in vintages it feels are appropriate, but here, in order to preserve the fresh and fruity quality of the wines, grapes were either mostly or entirely destemmed.
Of particular note, also, is that year-in and year-out, Drouhin provides outstanding wine and great value for the lesser appellations.
2016 Rully rouge
This wine shows fresh red currants, minerality, intensity, nervosity, and excellent energy. Harvested 25 September to 7 October. No whole clusters. (88-91)
2016 Chorey-les-Beaune
The Chorey-les-Beaune has perfumed red cherry aromas. The red cherries continue in the mouth, which is long, pure, precise, and intense. Unfortunately, the vines suffered badly from the frost, so there is much less of this wine than usual. Harvested 23 September to 4 October, 10% whole clusters. (88-91)
2016 Savigny-les-Beaune
Savigny-les-Beaune was one of the appellations hit worst by the frost, so there won’t be a lot of this wine around; boosting quantity some, the wine includes 40% premier cru fruit. The wine shows Savigny minerality and earthiness in the nose. The mouth has strawberry fruit. There is roundness here, but also good nervosity. Harvested 23 September. No whole clusters. (88-91)
2016 Côte de Beaune rouge
This wine, which includes declassified village and premier cru Beaune wine, is mineral, pure, and light on the palate. The red cherry fruit is very pretty and clear. Not to be confused with Côte de Beaune-Villages, as separate wine from different villages. Harvested 25 September to 2 October. No whole clusters. 91/A
2016 Beaune 1er Cru Aux Cras
This is the first time I have seen this wine here. Drouhin works with a farmer who raises and then sells the fruit to Drouhin. Usually, the fruit is declassified into the Côte de Beaune, but in 2016, the wine was bottled separately. From old vines, the nose here is stony. The mouth is saline with red cherry and some dark cherry fruit; there’s good minerality here, and the wine is smooth and fresh. Harvested 27 September. 10% whole clusters. (90-93)
2016 Beaune 1er Cru Les Grèves
The Beaune-Grèves is consistently one of Drouhin’s most under-the-radar wines. The 2016 version shows dark fruits and salinity with density, a smooth texture, and ripe tannins. The frost was “not too bad” here, said Véronique Drouhin, and since the estate owns almost 1 ha of Grèves, there should be relatively reasonable availability for this wine. Harvested 26 September. 10% whole clusters. (90-93)
2016 Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Mouches rouge
The flagship Beaune-Clos des Mouches promises outstanding, perhaps even great, wine. It is deep and smooth with dense dark fruits, iodide, purity, concentration, and power. Harvested 23-30 September, 10% whole clusters. (92-96)