Maison Joseph Drouin is world-famous for its wines from the Chablis region of France and numerous other offerings in Burgundy that include Pouilly-Fuissé from the southern Côte Challonaise. They also produce wonderful reds from the Beaune region of the Côte d’Or. Today’s red wine is from the little town of Chorey. Wines from this area are often simply labelled “Côte-De-Beaune Villages,” but Drouhin prefers to bottle it under its specific name Chorey-Lès-Beaune, (the word “Lès” meaning “near” in archaic French). This new vintage of Chorey near the village of Beaune is the best young offering I’ve ever tasted!
2012 Chorey-Lès-Beaune, Joseph Drouhin $29 srp
A deep, well-filled pomegranate color. Darkly rich and exotic nose of crushed rose petals, blackberry and smoke amid spring garden scents—a veritable little symphony of inimitable Pinot Noir bouquet. Lovely concentrated flavors with berries prominent, mixed with earthiness and a surprisingly firm structure that takes about three hours of decanting to reveal its delights. This “little” wine takes on a broader dimension in 2012—almost outstanding quality. Drink now-2019.
89/100 points
