Maison Joseph Drouhin
The eponymous Joseph Drouhin founded the négociant company, which bears his name in 1880, having spent much of his early life in Yonne. His son Maurice took over in 1918, buying the first vineyards, including the famous Clos des Mouches, which we are delighted to offer below. An arduous process of expansion thanks to the nature of Burgundy’s patchwork of owners, Maurice was finally able to carve out quite the empire for his family, which endures to this day.
A titanic character in Beaune, Maurice both sat on the INAO committee and acted as deputy administrator of the Hospices de Beaune throughout the turbulent World War II. At the height of his powers, Drouhin even had exclusive distribution rights to Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. However, he was unable to purchase a portion of the company, which subsequently went to Leroy.
His successor was his nephew Robert Jeausset-Drouhin, who took charge in 1957. Still maintaining a watchful eye over proceedings, Robert has ceded main control to his children (and fourth generation) Frédéric, Laurent, Philippe and Véronique. Philippe Drouhin manages the vineyards biodynamically, and as of 2009, their entire range has the ECOCERT organic certification.
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Vintage Tastings (95)
The 1985 Drouhin Musigny was again a better bottle than the last time I had this wine just three months ago. What's up with Drouhin showing better in Hong Kong? Maybe it likes the humidity here. It was the most open of this flight, in '85 fashion, sweet and gamy and full of Pinot fruit. Caramel kisses and damp earth rounded out its nutty nose. Paul agreed this was a better bottle than the one he had recently as well; in fact, I think it was the same bottle we shared in New York, or same batch. This bottle was in a perfect spot and still ascending.Inc. TAX€3,813.73 -
Vinous (94)
The 1989 Musigny Grand Cru is comparatively deep in color with thin bricking on the rim. This has a beguiling nose of darker fruit mixed with autumn leaves, black truffle and morels, becoming more and more floral with time. The medium-bodied palate delivers supple tannins; hints of Lapsang Souchong infuse the red and black fruit, cloves and spice toward the finish. Maybe a little foursquare, yet given my indifference to this Burgundy vintage, it shows extremely well. Tasted at the Drouhin Musigny vertical in London.Inc. TAX€2,818.49 -
Vinous (93)
The 1996 Musigny Grand Cru has an enticing, well-defined bouquet of dark berries, iris flower, dried blood and pine needle scents, opening nicely with aeration. Medium-bodied and, like many 1996s, quite backward and burly in style; a masculine Musigny with traces of freshly rolled tobacco on the finish. Moderate length. This has clearly got legs, though where is it going to go? Tasted at the Drouhin Musigny vertical in London.Inc. TAX€3,913.48 -
Burghound (93)
(Don't Miss!) An exotic and spicy nose features raspberry, red current, anise and clove notes that give way to sweet, classy and notably finely detailed flavors that are also relatively forward early but tighten up considerably on the backend. In most vintages, this is the undisputed class of the cellar and while it may ultimately be so once again, in 2004 it has competition. Still, lovely stuff by any standard.Inc. TAX€8,806.38 -
Burghound (93)
(Don't Miss!) An exotic and spicy nose features raspberry, red current, anise and clove notes that give way to sweet, classy and notably finely detailed flavors that are also relatively forward early but tighten up considerably on the backend. In most vintages, this is the undisputed class of the cellar and while it may ultimately be so once again, in 2004 it has competition. Still, lovely stuff by any standard.Inc. TAX€8,806.38 -
Vinous (91+)
Palish medium red. Good lift to the aromas of red fruits, smoke, cinnamon and fresh herbs. A medium-bodied wine with good smoky intensity to its flavors of redcurrant, iron and spices. There's a coolness to this wine but also an enticing lingering perfume, and the tannins are fine-grained.Inc. TAX€8,806.38 -
Wine Spectator (97)
This has some subtle power, but in appearance it's all silk and finesse. Cherry, strawberry, currant and mineral aromas and flavors advance stealthily, as this builds in intensity to a long, lingering conclusion. The finish is its best feature. Best from 2016 through 2035. 28 cases imported. -BSInc. TAX€3,827.23 -
Vinous (92-95)
Good deep red. Captivating aromas of blueberry, violet, coffee bean, white pepper and crushed stone. Juicy on entry, then tight and imploded in the middle, with an energetic core of fruit currently dominated by the wine's structure. Most impressive today on the rising, expanding back end, which saturates the mouth with dusty minerality. This will need eight to ten years of cellaring.Inc. TAX€6,556.38 -
Wine Advocate (93-95+)
The 2017 Musigny Grand Cru unfurls in the glass with captivating aromas of dried flowers, rose petal, violets and raspberries that mingle with deeper bass notes of espresso roast and raw cocoa. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, satiny and extremely elegant, with terrific depth, concentration and amplitude, framed by rich but powdery tannins and concluding with a beautifully fragrant finish. Unsurprisingly, this is likely the red wine of the vintage chez Drouhin.Inc. TAX€1,122.13 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (98)
(5-Star Wine) The star wine of the event. Glowing purple in colour, the 2018 Drouhin Musigny is magical in all its dimensions, without any suggestion of being a blockbuster. The fruit is superbly sensual while maintaining its gracefulness, and the tannins are exceptionally fine grained. The acidity is also beautifully integrated and the persistence stands out. What more to say?Inc. TAX€1,377.76 -
Vinous (88-90)
The 2017 Nuits Saint-Georges Village has a tightly wound, earthy bouquet that needs to knit together a little more during the remainder of its élevage. The palate has a pleasant sharpness on the entry. There is admirable tension here, especially for a Village Cru, though the cohesive, lightly spiced finish deserves a better set of aromatics (at least at the moment). One to watch once in bottle.Inc. TAX€618.55 -
Inc. TAX€1,167.42
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Inc. TAX€843.18
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Inc. TAX€1,256.95
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Vinous (89-91)
The 2017 Nuits Saint-Georges Les Procès 1er Cru felt a little gawky on the nose when I tasted the cask sample. The palate is medium-bodied with a pleasant sharpness on the entry, delivering firm grip and a saline finish that lingers in the mouth. Give this a couple of years in bottle.Inc. TAX€1,568.95 -
Inc. TAX€880.15
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Inc. TAX€602.87
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Inc. TAX€750.23
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Inc. TAX€576.55
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Inc. TAX€1,021.67
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Inc. TAX€902.87
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Inc. TAX€513.18
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Inc. TAX€574.12
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Burghound (93)
A ripe if highly restrained mix of red and blue fruit is liberally sprinkled with spice and floral notes. There is good volume and solid mid-palate density to the seductively delicious big-bodied flavors that are shaped by a phenolically mature tannic spine, all wrapped in a mildly rustic but highly persistent mineral-inflected finish. Note well that this muscular and robust effort is definitely going to need at least 7 to 8 years of keeping and require 15+, perhaps even slightly more.Inc. TAX€1,228.38 -
Vinous (91-93)
The 2017 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru comes from three lieux-dits: Les Charmes, Les Petits-Monts and Aux Malconsorts. It has a very composed bouquet of ample ripe raspberry, crushed strawberry, veins of blue fruit and a touch of crushed stone. The palate is well balanced with supple tannin and a fine bead of acidity. A light oyster shell note pokes up toward the harmonious, velvety finish. This is going to be very seductive.Inc. TAX€1,026.78 -
Jancis Robinson (17)
Cask sample. Gorgeously intense purple fruit on the nose. Sweet ripe cherries. More damson on the palate, very ripe, just fresh enough, almost a little jammy but rich and generous.Inc. TAX€925.98 -
Vinous (90-92)
(13.3% following modest chaptalization): Good bright medium red-ruby. Cassis, blackberry, licorice, minerals, fresh herbs and bitter chocolate on the nose, lifted by a floral topnote. At once dense and juicy, with lovely inner-mouth tension and energy to its intense dark fruit flavors. Savory, penetrating wine with a firm tannic backbone and resounding finishing fruit. The crop level was around 30 hectoliters per hectare and the vines were picked on September 6, according to Drouhin.Inc. TAX€3,262.38 -
Vinous (93-95)
(40% vendange entier): Bright red-ruby. Deep, slightly reduced aromas of black raspberry, espresso and smoky minerality. Very concentrated but wonderfully suave, fine-grained and laid-back in the early going, showing no rough edges in spite of its brisk acidity. There's outstanding energy to the sweet black fruit and soil flavors, with the wine's new oak and stem elements perfectly integrated. Finishes juicy, firmly tannic and very long, really spreading out horizontally to saturate the palate. Boasts the sappiness and lift of the best 2015s. (Incidentally, Frédéric Drouhin did not present his Bonnes-Mares, as only 300 liters were made in 2015.)Inc. TAX€4,282.42 -
Vinous (89-91)
The 2018 Vosne-Romanée Les Petits Monts 1er Cru comes from a parcel that lies just above Richebourg and receives 50% whole bunch. Now this is one cru that comes across a little trop on the nose, displaying a soupçon of volatility. The palate is sweet on the entry with dark cherries, loganberry and sea salt notes. Lush and powerful, though missing a bit of finesse and precision on the finish.Inc. TAX€1,457.20 -
Vinous (93-95)
The 2019 Vosne-Romanée Les Petits Monts 1er Cru, which until now I did not realize is owned by Véronique Drouhin-Boss personally, includes 40% whole cluster. It has a wonderful bouquet of violet-infused red plum and cranberry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and a fine bead of acidity. Full of tension and energy with good grip toward the sensual finish. Excellent.Inc. TAX€4,054.38
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Vintage Tastings (95)
The 1985 Drouhin Musigny was again a better bottle than the last time I had this wine just three months ago. What's up with Drouhin showing better in Hong Kong? Maybe it likes the humidity here. It was the most open of this flight, in '85 fashion, sweet and gamy and full of Pinot fruit. Caramel kisses and damp earth rounded out its nutty nose. Paul agreed this was a better bottle than the one he had recently as well; in fact, I think it was the same bottle we shared in New York, or same batch. This bottle was in a perfect spot and still ascending.In Bond€3,175.00 -
Vinous (94)
The 1989 Musigny Grand Cru is comparatively deep in color with thin bricking on the rim. This has a beguiling nose of darker fruit mixed with autumn leaves, black truffle and morels, becoming more and more floral with time. The medium-bodied palate delivers supple tannins; hints of Lapsang Souchong infuse the red and black fruit, cloves and spice toward the finish. Maybe a little foursquare, yet given my indifference to this Burgundy vintage, it shows extremely well. Tasted at the Drouhin Musigny vertical in London.In Bond€2,345.00 -
Vinous (93)
The 1996 Musigny Grand Cru has an enticing, well-defined bouquet of dark berries, iris flower, dried blood and pine needle scents, opening nicely with aeration. Medium-bodied and, like many 1996s, quite backward and burly in style; a masculine Musigny with traces of freshly rolled tobacco on the finish. Moderate length. This has clearly got legs, though where is it going to go? Tasted at the Drouhin Musigny vertical in London.In Bond€3,255.00 -
Burghound (93)
(Don't Miss!) An exotic and spicy nose features raspberry, red current, anise and clove notes that give way to sweet, classy and notably finely detailed flavors that are also relatively forward early but tighten up considerably on the backend. In most vintages, this is the undisputed class of the cellar and while it may ultimately be so once again, in 2004 it has competition. Still, lovely stuff by any standard.In Bond€7,320.00 -
Burghound (93)
(Don't Miss!) An exotic and spicy nose features raspberry, red current, anise and clove notes that give way to sweet, classy and notably finely detailed flavors that are also relatively forward early but tighten up considerably on the backend. In most vintages, this is the undisputed class of the cellar and while it may ultimately be so once again, in 2004 it has competition. Still, lovely stuff by any standard.In Bond€7,320.00 -
Vinous (91+)
Palish medium red. Good lift to the aromas of red fruits, smoke, cinnamon and fresh herbs. A medium-bodied wine with good smoky intensity to its flavors of redcurrant, iron and spices. There's a coolness to this wine but also an enticing lingering perfume, and the tannins are fine-grained.In Bond€7,320.00 -
Wine Spectator (97)
This has some subtle power, but in appearance it's all silk and finesse. Cherry, strawberry, currant and mineral aromas and flavors advance stealthily, as this builds in intensity to a long, lingering conclusion. The finish is its best feature. Best from 2016 through 2035. 28 cases imported. -BSIn Bond€3,180.00 -
Vinous (92-95)
Good deep red. Captivating aromas of blueberry, violet, coffee bean, white pepper and crushed stone. Juicy on entry, then tight and imploded in the middle, with an energetic core of fruit currently dominated by the wine's structure. Most impressive today on the rising, expanding back end, which saturates the mouth with dusty minerality. This will need eight to ten years of cellaring.In Bond€5,445.00 -
Wine Advocate (93-95+)
The 2017 Musigny Grand Cru unfurls in the glass with captivating aromas of dried flowers, rose petal, violets and raspberries that mingle with deeper bass notes of espresso roast and raw cocoa. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, satiny and extremely elegant, with terrific depth, concentration and amplitude, framed by rich but powdery tannins and concluding with a beautifully fragrant finish. Unsurprisingly, this is likely the red wine of the vintage chez Drouhin.In Bond€932.00 -
Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (98)
(5-Star Wine) The star wine of the event. Glowing purple in colour, the 2018 Drouhin Musigny is magical in all its dimensions, without any suggestion of being a blockbuster. The fruit is superbly sensual while maintaining its gracefulness, and the tannins are exceptionally fine grained. The acidity is also beautifully integrated and the persistence stands out. What more to say?In Bond€1,145.00 -
Vinous (88-90)
The 2017 Nuits Saint-Georges Village has a tightly wound, earthy bouquet that needs to knit together a little more during the remainder of its élevage. The palate has a pleasant sharpness on the entry. There is admirable tension here, especially for a Village Cru, though the cohesive, lightly spiced finish deserves a better set of aromatics (at least at the moment). One to watch once in bottle.In Bond€493.00 -
In Bond€928.00
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In Bond€684.00
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In Bond€1,025.00
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Vinous (89-91)
The 2017 Nuits Saint-Georges Les Procès 1er Cru felt a little gawky on the nose when I tasted the cask sample. The palate is medium-bodied with a pleasant sharpness on the entry, delivering firm grip and a saline finish that lingers in the mouth. Give this a couple of years in bottle.In Bond€1,285.00 -
In Bond€711.00
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In Bond€480.00
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In Bond€603.00
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In Bond€458.00
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In Bond€829.00
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In Bond€730.00
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In Bond€409.00
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In Bond€456.00
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Burghound (93)
A ripe if highly restrained mix of red and blue fruit is liberally sprinkled with spice and floral notes. There is good volume and solid mid-palate density to the seductively delicious big-bodied flavors that are shaped by a phenolically mature tannic spine, all wrapped in a mildly rustic but highly persistent mineral-inflected finish. Note well that this muscular and robust effort is definitely going to need at least 7 to 8 years of keeping and require 15+, perhaps even slightly more.In Bond€1,005.00 -
Vinous (91-93)
The 2017 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru comes from three lieux-dits: Les Charmes, Les Petits-Monts and Aux Malconsorts. It has a very composed bouquet of ample ripe raspberry, crushed strawberry, veins of blue fruit and a touch of crushed stone. The palate is well balanced with supple tannin and a fine bead of acidity. A light oyster shell note pokes up toward the harmonious, velvety finish. This is going to be very seductive.In Bond€837.00 -
Jancis Robinson (17)
Cask sample. Gorgeously intense purple fruit on the nose. Sweet ripe cherries. More damson on the palate, very ripe, just fresh enough, almost a little jammy but rich and generous.In Bond€753.00 -
Vinous (90-92)
(13.3% following modest chaptalization): Good bright medium red-ruby. Cassis, blackberry, licorice, minerals, fresh herbs and bitter chocolate on the nose, lifted by a floral topnote. At once dense and juicy, with lovely inner-mouth tension and energy to its intense dark fruit flavors. Savory, penetrating wine with a firm tannic backbone and resounding finishing fruit. The crop level was around 30 hectoliters per hectare and the vines were picked on September 6, according to Drouhin.In Bond€2,700.00 -
Vinous (93-95)
(40% vendange entier): Bright red-ruby. Deep, slightly reduced aromas of black raspberry, espresso and smoky minerality. Very concentrated but wonderfully suave, fine-grained and laid-back in the early going, showing no rough edges in spite of its brisk acidity. There's outstanding energy to the sweet black fruit and soil flavors, with the wine's new oak and stem elements perfectly integrated. Finishes juicy, firmly tannic and very long, really spreading out horizontally to saturate the palate. Boasts the sappiness and lift of the best 2015s. (Incidentally, Frédéric Drouhin did not present his Bonnes-Mares, as only 300 liters were made in 2015.)In Bond€3,550.00 -
Vinous (89-91)
The 2018 Vosne-Romanée Les Petits Monts 1er Cru comes from a parcel that lies just above Richebourg and receives 50% whole bunch. Now this is one cru that comes across a little trop on the nose, displaying a soupçon of volatility. The palate is sweet on the entry with dark cherries, loganberry and sea salt notes. Lush and powerful, though missing a bit of finesse and precision on the finish.In Bond€1,205.00 -
Vinous (93-95)
The 2019 Vosne-Romanée Les Petits Monts 1er Cru, which until now I did not realize is owned by Véronique Drouhin-Boss personally, includes 40% whole cluster. It has a wonderful bouquet of violet-infused red plum and cranberry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and a fine bead of acidity. Full of tension and energy with good grip toward the sensual finish. Excellent.In Bond€3,360.00