Joseph Drouhin Chassagne-Montrachet 2022

Maison Joseph Drouhin is a highly esteemed and historic winery located in Burgundy, France, with a distinguished legacy dating back to its founding in 1880. Situated in the heart of Beaune, the winery benefits from its prime location within one of the world's most celebrated wine regions. Managed by the fourth generation of the Drouhin family, the estate is renowned for its unwavering commitment to quality and the preservation of traditional winemaking practices. Their vineyards are strategically located across Burgundy's most prestigious appellations, including Côte de Nuits, Côte de Beaune, Chablis, and Côte Chalonnaise, ensuring access to exceptional terroir.

Primarily celebrated for its exceptional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, Maison Joseph Drouhin produces a range of red, white, and rosé wines, including highly acclaimed selections such as Clos des Mouches, Chambertin-Clos de Bèze, and Beaune Clos des Ursules. Demonstrating a deep respect for the environment, the estate has embraced organic viticulture since the late 1980s and biodynamic practices since the 1990s across its extensive 100-hectare estate. Their philosophy emphasizes providing "natural answers to natural problems," resulting in deliberately low production yields that allow their grapes to fully express the unique characteristics of each terroir.

A distinguished white wine hailing from the celebrated "Côte des Blancs" region in the South of the Côte de Beaune, alongside the esteemed villages of Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet. The name Chassagne-Montrachet itself carries historical significance, derived from Celtic and Old French terms referencing oak trees and the unique, albeit seemingly paradoxical, poor and dry soil that contributes to the richness of the wines produced here. The vineyards benefit from a complex soil composition of marl, limestone, various clays, and gravel, situated on a mild, well-exposed slope, creating ideal conditions for cultivating exceptional Chardonnay grapes.

This exquisite wine is crafted with meticulous attention to detail, beginning with hand-harvested grapes sorted for optimal quality and gently pressed using a pneumatic press, with only the finest free-run juice selected. The vinification process continues with alcoholic and malolactic fermentation, followed by an ageing period of 14 to 16 months in oak barrels, approximately 20% of which are new.

The result is a generous and elegant wine, boasting a light golden hue and an intense bouquet of floral notes, brioche, and candied lemon, which gracefully evolves into hints of grilled hazelnut and spice with age. On the palate, it offers a straightforward yet refined experience with a lovely texture and finesse, culminating in a long, satisfying aftertaste characterised by floral and gingerbread notes