Hello, wine-tasting buddies,
Once in a while, those of us here in the sticks in Tucson merit a visit from City Folk. This weekend is one such instance. Sunday is of course our Last Sunday wine tasting, and this month, as part of our Trust Your Importer series, we’ll be featuring the wines of Dreyfus, Ashby & Company. The jewel in the Dreyfus Ashby crown is Joseph Drouhin, Superstar winery of Burgundy, and its sister property, Domaine Drouhin Oregon (were you aware that the Willamette Valley and Burgundy are latitudinally within 100 miles of one another?) As luck would have it, the extremely knowledgeable and loquacious City Person Kate Kailer of Dreyfus Ashby will be joining us to expound upon the wines, and we will, as per usual, supply snacks to go with the wines. The wines are a bit pricier than usual, so this tasting will be a $35 dollar tasting again, but so, so very worth it. Call us to hold a spot for you at 326-9363 and we’ll see you this Sunday, January 27th at 3:30.
2010 Domaine Drouhin Oregon “Arthur” Chardonnay, Willamette Valley $30.00
Like 2010, the 2011 vintage is very good for Chardonnay. The cool growing year and later harvest gave us excellent flavors and acidity. On the nose, there are beautiful white flowers, some citric fruits, and the sense of minerality that I love. Arthur can be enjoyed now, but will develop nicely for the next several years. Véronique Drouhin-Boss
2009 Joseph Drouhin Chassagne-Montrachet (Chardonnay) $54.00
A generous and elegant wine. Light golden color. Intense nose of flower, brioche and candied lemon aromas, evolving towards nuances of grilled hazelnut and spice as the wine matures. On the palate, the wine is straightforward, with a nice texture and finesse. It has a long aftertaste where floral and gingerbread notes dominate.
2010 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley $38.00
We had many questions before the 2011 harvest, but in barrel, these wines have been a pleasure. Delicious, well-structured, well-balanced. On the nose and on the palate, it is very much a classic expression of our Dundee Hills property, though with perhaps a touch more black cherry and black fruits than usual. As with 2010, the acidity is bright, and overall there is nice structure and very good length. I have a feeling this wine will age exceptionally well, easily more than 10 years. Véronique Drouhin-Boss.
2010 Joseph Drouhin Chorey-les-Beaune (Pinot Noir) $27.00
A very pleasant wine. Bright, clear red color. Aromas are surprising in their intensity and fruit. On the palate, a tender, supple, graceful, round body. Very flavorful in the aftertaste, with a hint of blackberry jam. When the wine gets older, wild blackberry is the dominant aroma. After 3 or 5 years, the wine takes on a distinctive smell of truffle and undergrowth evolving towards notes of venison.
2010 Joseph Drouhin Rully (Pinot Noir) $24.00
Beautiful bright ruby-red color. Aromas of puréed raspberry, gooseberry, red currant, blackberry. With
ageing, the aromas evolve towards riper notes of syrup, then tobacco and wet undergrowth. Pretty and refined on the nose. The flavors belong to those of a great Burgundy. Fresh, velvety texture (“gras”), elegant tannins,well meshed when the wine is mature. Long, refined aftertaste, with some touches of fruit jam.
2009 Joseph Drouhin Pommard (Pinot Noir) $54.00
Very nice, type ruby color ; the bouquet is reminiscent of red fruit along with an attractive and ripe mouth. This is a consequence of an excellent maturity of the berries. They could be enjoyed from now as they are already delicious. 2009 is showing its breed and will rightfully take its place among those vintages ending in “9” in the last century, as well as 2005, 1978, 1961…