Medium ruby-red colour. The nose is lovely, slightly baked fruit, forward with a ginger edge and some deep herby elements. In the mouth there is sweet fruit but the acidity that comes along is bright indeed sharp finishing – it rather dominates the palate despite the slowly lingering flavours. I can’t get at much else as the problem with the acidity is so prominent. A badly stored bottle? I don’t know, but I can’t recommend this.
Drouhin Joseph
2000 Drouhin Joseph Griotte-Chambertin
Medium cherry red. The nose is sweet with warm red fruits – one of the rare wines in this line-up to show griottes! Rich and fat this wine shows beautiful red fruit, lovely acidity and medium, relatively refined tannin. A finish which I would describe as long in most line-ups, but merely average in this company. Whilst very primary, there is a drinkability about the wine which makes it ‘moreish’ today, but my remaining two bottles will have to wait at least until their 10th birthdays for the next viewing.
2000 Drouhin Joseph Laforet Bourgogne Rouge
2000 Drouhin Joseph Beaune Clos des Mouches
In this case the ‘mouches’ are bees, not flies! This, the best known of Drouhin’s vineyards was purchased about 1918, today it is run on a biodynamic basis. The colour is similar to the Côte de Beaune. Again, reserved on the nose, a little toasty perhaps – though Drouhin don’t char their barrels. Very good acidity and much finer tannins than the last wine. The black cherry fruit is intense, lasting well in the finish. A very good wine, again will benefit from some time in the cellar.
2000 Drouhin Joseph Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru
This wine is a mixture of 5 Crus; Hauts-Doix, Borniques, Noirots, Plantes and Combottes. Deep cherry in colour. Again the nose is reserved, no toast this time, but higher toned with faint fruit preserve. Really interesting on the palate, lots going on here – a mixture of red and black fruits shaded towards red. Lovely length with very fine tannins. A very good wine that you could certainly enjoy today.