Joseph DROUHIN (Beaune) -- 2015 Part III: Côte de Nuits Grand Cru Wines Tasted from Cask Samples

(Originally published 18 March 2017.)

The description of the 2015 vintage at Drouhin is located here

2015 Charmes-Chambertin
For a long time, the Charmes-Chambertin was a disappointment in the Drouhin portfolio, but about five or so years ago, Drouhin changed the location in the vineyard from which it sourced the fruit and that seemed to make all the difference. The nose here shows perfumed red fruits. The red fruits continue in the mouth, too. The wine is medium-weight with outstanding density and good drive, freshness, and minerality. Harvested 11 September, 10% whole clusters. (92-95)

2015 Mazis-Chambertin
The Mazis-Chambertin is a relatively new addition to the Drouhin lineup, but one that has positioned itself as one of the leading wines of the appellation. The location of the vines is at the southwest corner of the Mazis vineyard, just below Ruchottes-Chambertin and just north of Chambertin-Clos-de-Bèze. The nose and mouth of crushed cassis are precise and intense. The body is medium-full and the mouth shows penetration, concentration, and drive. In short, a classic Mazis-Chambertin and a complete wine. Harvested 18 September(!), 10% whole clusters.  (93-97)

2015 Clos de Vougeot
Drouhin’s Clos de Vougeot has typical black raspberry fruit. The wine is firm, intense, powerful, and penetrating. Drouhin has a parcel at the bottom of the vineyard, and usually sells the wine from that parcel off, as apparently occurred in 2015; this wine is from the parcel just below the château and toward the north edge of the vineyard. Harvested 9 September, 30% whole clusters. (91-94)

2015 Grands-Échézeaux
Magnificent is the word for the Grands-Échézeaux. The wine shows typical Grands-Échézeaux dark fruit and licorice aromas. The mouth has dark fruit and is dense, expressive, and energetic, all making for a great expression of the terroir. Harvested 9 September. 30% whole clusters. Alas, this vineyard was hit very hard by the frost in 2016, yielding almost nothing; the vines have now been ripped out for replanting, so this will be the last Drouhin Grands-Échézeaux for some time (unless Drouhin is able to secure a négociant source). (94-97)

2015 Griotte-Chambertin
Drouhin’s Griotte-Chambertin is still reduced in the nose. The mouth shows classic Griotte sour red cherry fruit and some dark fruit, too. The wine is quite concentrated and has a velvet texture along with depth and purity. Harvested 7 September. 35% whole clusters. (93-97)

2015 Musigny
Last and the best the day I tasted, the Musigny has a cornucopia of red and dark fruits with great length and harmony and a velvet texture. As should be the case, I am in awe of what this vineyard can produce. Harvested 7 September. 35% whole clusters. (95-98)