2023 Joseph Drouhin Beaune 1er Cru “Clos des Mouches” Rouge, Burgundy, France

ABOUT THIS WINE

The vineyards from which the grapes in this wine were harvested, are located the southern end of the Beaune appellation, next to Pommard. The Drouhin vineyard is at mid-slope, on a mild incline with an east/south east exposure. It is the largest parcel of the Clos des Mouches (14 hectares - 35 acres), half planted with chardonnay, the other with pinot noir. The soil consists of clay and limestone, with rocky soil in the upper part of the vineyard. At the center, the soil is limestone and marl. This light composition favors the great finesse of the wine.

The name "mouches" means flies. There were once bee-hives in this sun-drenched clos - the bees in the local dialect were called "mouches à miel" (honey flies), hence the name Clos des Mouches. It is one of the first vineyards acquired by Maurice Drouhin (the founder's son) in the 1920's. With great determination, he bought 41 different parcels from 8 proprietors. It is planted out in equal quantities of red and white grapes and both wines have achieved mythical status for the House of Joseph Drouhin.

2023 stands out as one of the hottest years in Burgundy, surpassing even 2022. This vintage is marked by its generosity, both in quantity and quality, with consistent yields across all regions in Burgundy. The wines offer flavours of ripe red and black berries. The climate's generosity is evident in these Pinots Noirs.  They show excellent ripeness with smooth, long, and complex palates.

Grapes were hand harvested by hands, then sorted. This was a whole crop harvest of 20% to 50%. In accordance with the terroir and the profile of the vintage, Drouhin does 2 to 3 weeks of fermentation and maceration in small open vats, marked by punching of the cap and pumping-over. The yeasts are indigenous (natural). Pressing in a vertical press. Separation of the ends of the presses based on tasting. Aging is completed in oak barrels (made from oak grown in the French high forest) including 25% of new barrels for 14-18 months. 

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.