Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Tasting Notes- Joseph Drouhin, (Burgundy)

Whites- The 2003 whites I tasted were different from most white Bourgogne wines that I have tasted in the past; lacking a bit in intensity of flavor and acidity. In fact, the acidity balanced by great flavor and richness are what I really appreciate in Chardonnay from Burgundy. The Vero, a second label 'negociant' bottling, is a decent enough value, but there may be other wines that would provide a greater level of pleasure for the same price.

2002 'Vero' Bourgogne Blanc ~$20 retail- This is a generic Chardonnay from Burgundy, but in the mouth it is anything but generic. Hazelnut aromas, solid structure for early drinking, not a long ager. Sweet cream, a bit of 'struck match' & minerality. Devoid of oak. Nice wine.

2003 Joseph Drouhin, Mersault- Light oak aromatics; spice, quince, cardamom. Hints of Matsutake mushroom, fennel seed, pear. Delicate lilly floral accent in the finish. Minerality and nice build; not at all racy, but rather measured and full.

2003 Joseph Drouhin, Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru, 'Folatieres'- Medium richness, creamy texture, minerality. White peaches, wet stone, flinty 'struck-match' sulfurous touch. Soft, subtle.

Reds- These were 2003 wines, a very warm vintage in Burgundy, and the Vero from 2002. (Also included is a bottling from Drouhin's Oregon estate.)

2003 Domaine Drouhin Oregon, Willamette Valley- Very Oregon. Slightly herbaceous, with stewed leaf, balanced by raspberry and loganberry. This is their basic bottling, and it shows characteristic restraint with the oak. Not overripe, which was a danger for Oregon in 2003. Very enjoyable!

2003 Joseph Drouhin, Chorey-les-Beaune- Deep color for a Bourgogne. Plum, cherry and ripe strawberry aromatics, with light structure and open tannins. Grapey, with lightly reduced character. Nearly Grenache-like. Not very typical for Pinot Noir.

2003 Joseph Drouhin, Gevrey-Chambertin- Northern Rhone aroma, with white pepper, violets, and raw meat. Tough grainy tannins, slightly bitter. Oak pronounced, with vanilla, coconut lactones, and some raw oak tannin. Slightly alcoholic.

2002 Vero, Bourgogne Rouge- Stemmy green tannins, spice, clove & cinnamon. Decently elegant, if focused on these dry spice flavors. Angular, with grippy, rough 'cat's tounge' tannins. I liked it quite well.

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