2001 Joseph Drouhin Beaune 1er Cru “Clos des Mouches” Rouge, Burgundy, France

ABOUT THIS WINE

Clos des Mouches sits at the southern end of Beaune, immediately adjacent to Pommard. Drouhin’s holdings lie mid-slope on a gentle east/southeast-facing incline. The domaine owns about 14 hectares (35 acres) here—the largest single holding in the climat—with roughly half planted to Pinot Noir and half to Chardonnay.

The soils vary across the slope: clay-limestone with stonier ground higher up and limestone/marl through the center. Drouhin associates these relatively light, rocky soils with the vineyard’s characteristic finesse rather than sheer power. The vineyard also has particular historical importance to Drouhin. Maurice Drouhin began assembling the property in the 1920s, eventually combining 41 separate parcels purchased from eight owners. The unusual name comes from mouches à miel (“honey flies”), an old local expression for bees; beehives were historically kept in this sunny site.

Grapes are hand harvested and sorted. Pressed 20–50% whole clusters, depending on the vintage. Fermented with indigenous yeasts for 2–3 weeks fermentation with maceration in small open vats. Vertical-basket pressing. Aging occurs for 14-18 months in French oak, with approximately 25% new oak.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Maison Joseph Drouhin was founded in Beaune in 1880, when Joseph Drouhin took over a wine business at just 22 years old. Over four generations, the family developed the house into both a major vineyard owner and a négociant, meaning Drouhin produces wines from its own vineyards while also working with grapes from trusted growers. Today, its estate holdings span roughly 100 hectares throughout Burgundy, from Chablis through the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune to the Côte Chalonnaise and Mâconnais. The holdings include celebrated sites such as Musigny, Clos de Vougeot, Grands Échezeaux, Corton-Charlemagne, Bâtard-Montrachet, and Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Mouches.

Drouhin is particularly known for an elegant, restrained style rather than sheer power. The family describes elegance and harmony as guiding principles, aiming for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that emphasize perfume, freshness, finesse, and transparency to their vineyard sites. Under Philippe Drouhin, the estate began moving toward organic and biodynamic farming in the late 1980s, using practices such as cover crops, composting, horse plowing, and biodynamic preparations. In the cellar, the approach is similarly sensitive, with indigenous yeasts and techniques adapted to the individual vineyard rather than imposing one formula on every wine.

The modern family leadership includes fourth-generation siblings Philippe, Véronique, Laurent, and Frédéric Drouhin. Philippe oversees the vineyards, while Véronique has an especially important role in defining the family's wine style. The fifth generation has also begun entering the business.