2023 Joseph Drouhin Pouilly-Fuissé, Burgundy, France

ABOUT THIS WINE

This wine comes from grapes sourced from all around the Pouilly-Fuissé, with purposely low yields, in order to extract all possible nuances from the terroir.

2023 stands out as one of the hottest years in Burgundy, even surpassing 2022. The grapes were harvested at perfect maturity. The wines are very aromatic with notes of yellow fruits mingling with flower hints. The palate is ample and full-bodied.  They combine generosity, freshness, and finesse, with a climate that enhances the terroirs without overpowering them. Like 2022, the 2023 vintage is expected to be highly appealing.

This wine comes from grapes and musts purchased from supply partners according to rigorous specifications. Grapes are hand harvested, then pressed with a pneumatic press. After settling the juices ferments for 2/3 in stainless steel vats and for 1/3 in 500 litre oak barrels. Aging is completed over 6-10 months.

Throughout the aging process, decisions are taken only after careful tasting evaluation. The data obtained is completed through technical analysis. As with every other Joseph Drouhin wine, absolute priority is given to the true expression of terroir and character of the vintage.

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.