Joseph Drouhin Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2019

Joseph Drouhin was founded in 1880 in Beaune, Burgundy, by Joseph Drouhin. The estate remains family-owned and is currently managed by the fourth generation of the Drouhin family. Joseph Drouhin owns and leases vineyards across some of the most prestigious appellations in Burgundy, including Côte de Beaune, Côte de Nuits, Chablis, and Beaujolais. Their extensive vineyard holdings allow them to produce a wide range of wines, from village-level to Grand Cru. Some of Joseph Drouhin's most iconic wines include their Clos des Mouches Premier Cru from Beaune, their Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru from the Côte de Nuits, and their Montrachet Grand Cru from the Côte de Beaune. These wines consistently receive high praise from critics and wine enthusiasts for their elegance, complexity, and aging potential. 

Limestone is a dominant soil type in many of Joseph Drouhin's vineyards, particularly in the Côte de Beaune. Limestone-rich soils are prized for their ability to impart minerality and finesse to the wines. These soils often contain high levels of calcium carbonate, which can vary in texture from compacted limestone to crumbly marl. Clay soils are prevalent in both the Côte de Beaune and the Côte de Nuits, providing structure and richness to the wines. Clay soils have excellent water retention properties, ensuring vines have access to moisture during dry periods. The presence of clay can contribute to the development of powerful, full-bodied wines with velvety tannins. Marl is a mixture of clay and limestone and is commonly found in Burgundy's vineyards. Marl soils offer a balance between drainage and water retention, promoting vine health and grape ripening. Wines produced from grapes grown in marl soils often exhibit a harmonious balance of fruitiness, acidity, and minerality. Some of Joseph Drouhin's vineyards may even contain pockets of gravel and sand, particularly in lower-lying areas. The diverse soil composition of Joseph Drouhin vineyards plays a crucial role in shaping the quality and character of their wines, reflecting the richness and complexity of Burgundy's terroir.

Joseph Drouhin Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru is a prestigious white wine produced from the Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru vineyard in Burgundy, France. The primary grape variety used in Joseph Drouhin Corton-Charlemagne is Chardonnay.

Chardonnay is the dominant grape variety for white wines in Burgundy and is known for its ability to reflect terroir while offering a wide range of flavors and styles. In Corton-Charlemagne, Chardonnay thrives in the limestone and clay-rich soils of the vineyard, which contribute to the wine's complexity and character. Corton-Charlemagne displays complex aromas of ripe orchard fruits such as apple and pear, along with citrus notes of lemon and grapefruit. There are also hints of white flowers, hazelnut, and a subtle minerality. On the palate, Corton-Charlemagne wines are typically rich and full-bodied, with a creamy texture and a vibrant acidity. Flavors of ripe fruit are complemented by nuances of vanilla, toast, and baking spices from oak aging. Joseph Drouhin Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru is known for its excellent structure and balance. The wine often has a pronounced backbone of acidity, which provides freshness and longevity. Well-integrated oak and a lingering finish contribute to its overall elegance and refinement.

"From holdings located in the south-facing climat Les Languettes, Drouhin produced three barrels of the 2019 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru (Domaine), a medium to full-bodied, layered and nicely concentrated wine that's bright and structured, evocative of white flowers, pomelo, orange oil and buttery pastry."

The 2019 vintage has turned out beautifully at this address, delivering wines of immense charm, and it was a pleasure tasting through this selection with Véronique Drouhin. These textural, sumptuous whites will offer considerable immediate appeal—even if Drouhin's two bottlings from the holdings of the Marquis de Laguiche are also built for the cellar—but it's the perfumed, vibrant and enveloping reds that really steal the show this year. To my palate, of all the region's important houses, Drouhin's style places the greatest premium on aromatic range and structural finesse; and the 2019 reds compellingly exemplify those aesthetic priorities." - William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (1/14/21) Rating: 93-95