Joseph DROUHIN – 2012 Côte de Nuits tasted in November 2013, prior to bottling (Beaune)

This material originally was printed in Issue 141 of The Fine Wine Review. I reviewed Drouhin 2012 Côte Chalonnaise and Côte de Beaune wines prior to bottling here.  I reviewed Drouhin 2012 wines from bottle here.  I consider wines tasted prior to bottling a better view of the ultimate potential than wines tasted within a few years after bottling, although I generally am consistent between the two.

Harvesting in the Côte d’Or started on 19 September, which would have been Côte de Beaune; harvesting for these wines took place between 24 and 28 September, except for the Vosne-Petits Monts (21 September) and Chambolle 1^er Cru (21-24 September). Drouhin used a laser-optic sorting machine in addition to two vibrating sorting tables in order to assure that only ripe grapes would be used for the wines. Because of vintage conditions, Drouhin did additional pre-fermentation soaking, a separating and fining of the final press musts, more destemming than usual, and longer macerations than usual, including post-fermentation macerations. For the Côte de Nuits wines, Drouhin stirred the lees and then left the wines on the lees for a long time. In some instances, press wine was added back. 

Wines marked "Domaine" are from properties that Drouhin owns. (Continue reading here.)