Dreyfus, Ashby & Co.

Main Office

630 3rd Ave
15th Floor
New York, NY 10017

Phone (212) 818-0770
Fax (212) 953-2366

Adminstration

50 Avon Meadow Lane
Avon, CT 06001
Phone (860) 409-9119
Fax (860) 409-9272

E-Mail

info@dreyfusashby.com

 

Visit www.drouhin.com for the complete history of Joseph Drouhin

The History

Joseph Drouhin founded the company that bears his name in 1880. In less than a generation, this Burgundy House quickly rose to prominence, making its name synonymous with high quality in the wine world.

Robert Drouhin, his grandson, took over the management of the company in 1957 and continued the firm's traditions, enlarging its vineyard estate and enhancing its position and renown worldwide.

The fourth generation is now at the helm. Their names are Philippe, Véronique, Laurent and Frédéric.

Born between 1961 and 1968, each one has his own personality but shares the same passion: the vine and the wine of Burgundy.

Philippe, the eldest, is the man of the vine, responsible for the Drouhin estate in Burgundy and Oregon. Véronique is the family's enologist is in charge of winemaking at Domaine Drouhin Oregon and plays a very important role in Beaune as well. Laurent is the Drouhin ambassador to the United States and the Caribbean and now lives in the New York area with his family. Frédéric is president and chief-executive officer of the company.

Day after day, they perpetuate the family’s tradition, interpret the slightest nuance of each terroir, innovate in order to go even further in their search for harmony, the hallmark of Joseph Drouhin wines.

Today, the Drouhin firm markets the whole gamut of Burgundy Appellations (more than a hundred different red and white wines), from Laforet Bourgogne, a high-quality regional Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, to the rare and much coveted Montrachet Marquis de Laguiche, often referred to as the best dry white wine in the world.

The breadth of its offering combined with its reputation for quality makes the Drouhin line highly prized by the U.S. wholesalers as an important source of prestigious and profitable product.

A balance of tradition and modern techniques characterizes Joseph Drouhin winemaking and vineyard management: own nursery, ploughing, leaf removal, 100 % picking by hand, open wooden and stainless steel fermenters, fermenting and ageing of the wines in oak.

As a result of its historic location deep in the heart of Beaune, its size and quality of vineyards, the expertise resulting from years of experience in the cultivation of vines and the vinification of fine wines, Maison Joseph Drouhin is uniquely placed to uphold the true Burgundian style.

Since 1880, Maison Joseph Drouhin has built a reputation for wines that primarily reflect their individual terroir and vintage. Faithfully preserving the authentic individuality of each appellation, the Drouhin firm constantly strives for wines of breed, finesse and elegance.

Historical facts

The massive cellars under the extensive premises are composed of three separate parts and are preserved in their original state, all classified as historical treasures. The first part, the oldest cellar of the Canons of Beaune with is magnificent Gothic architecture and vaulted ceilings, was built in the thirteenth Century ; the second part is situated beneath the 14th Century former Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy ; the third part, situated under the ancient Parliament of Beaune, was built as a wine cellar for the Kings of France in the sixteenth Century.

Family history

Joseph and Maurice Drouhin

1880 : Joseph Drouhin purchased the business trading rights of a wine house founded in 1756.

The house is located in Beaune, in the heart of the old town, within the ancient Roman fortifications.

In 1918, the son of the founder , Maurice Drouhin, set the goal to develop a fine estate and specialize in Burgundy wines exclusively. He purchased various vineyards, in particular the famous Beaune Clos des Mouches and a vineyard in the Clos de Vougeot.

After World War Two, the company expanded further as it developed a world market.

1957 : Robert Drouhin, took over the firm : he continued the expansion of the estate in Côte de Nuits, adding prestigious vineyards such as Musigny, Griotte Chambertin, Chambertin Clos de Bèze, Bonnes Mares, Grands Echézeaux. He also enhanced the position and reputation of the company worldwide.

1968 : Another estate was established in Chablis, including various Grands Crus (Vaudésir, Les Clos) and several Premier Crus.

The total estate now comprises some 65 hectares (over 162 acres).

1988 : Domaine Drouhin Oregon was created in USA.

1994 : a holding Company was created with Snow Brand Products in Tokyo.

Winemaking Ethic

Those people who are into high technology or miraculous recipes will probably be disappointed when they hear this : our style of vinification remains deeply traditional (See " The vinification of white wines or red wines in Burgundy "). To learn more about the differences between traditional winemaking and fashionable winemaking please refer to the Winemaker's Dilemma.

It can be summarized as follows :

  • respect for the integrity of the grape ; harvest by hand, transportation from vineyard to winery in small perforated crates, loading of fermenters or presses by means of a conveyor belt.

For the reds :

  • destemming is decided when the stems are too green and depending on how healthy they are

  • no yeast inoculation (the skin of the berries is naturally covered with a specific yeast population)

  • temperature at fermentation varies naturally but within two extreme limits : 25°-32°C (77°. - 90° F) ;

  • total maceration / fermentation is decided by tasting (12 to 18, exceptionally 21 days).

With too long a maceration the tannins extracted are harsher and less noble : they hide the bouquet and the finesse of the wine. A good analogy is tea : try to seep your tea longer and judge for yourself.

For the whites :

  • pneumatic pressing

  • decantation by gravity

  • for all Côte d'Or wines, fermentation in barrels

  • for Mâcon, Pouilly-Fuissé and possibly Chablis wines, fermentation in tanks completed in wood

  • the lees are maintained in suspension through frequent stirring

For all wines :

  • after the alcoholic fermentation, the malolactic fermentation is left to follow its course naturally : it occurs in winter or spring.

The Family

If you wish to read their biographies, click on their name or picture...

Laurent - Robert - Philippe - Véronique - Françoise - Frédéric

Visit www.drouhin.com for the complete history of Joseph Drouhin

 

JOSEPH DROUHIN
SCORES BIG AT THE 2006 CRITICS CHALLENGE

Critics Platinum
Moulin-a-Vent 2005
Astounding complexity!
-- Michael Apstein

Critics Gold
Chorey-les-Beaune 2003
Bright cherry-berry with good length.
-- Gerald Boyd

Puligny-Montrachet 2004
A nice balance of toasty, creamy flavors.
-- Michael Apstein

The 2005 Vintage

Only one question : will 2005 be a great vintage or a very great vintage ?

SITUATION OF THE VINEYARD
2006

Last year we had a warm early March and the buds swelled and even broke on time for the weather to change in late March. Last year we had almost 5 inches of rain in May and we have had 0.33 this year, the average being around 2.5. This year the development has been slow and steady.

Grands Echézeaux 2003


Just a touch raisined on the nose, this shows more red fruits?cherry, currant and strawberry?than most '03s. It's spicy and elegant, with an open texture and a long, raspberry-tinged aftertaste. Drink now through 2020.

Puligny-Montrachet Les Folatières 2003



Sweet pastry and roasted nut aromas and flavors hold court in this lush white. Creamy in texture, it offers a glimpse of [i]terroir[n] while remaining well-balanced. Fine length, too. Drink now through 2012.

 

Issue #165

2004 Domaine
Joseph Drouhin Chablis les Clos

An outstanding wine, Drouhin’s 2004 Chablis Les Clos is fermented and aged in one- to five-year-old barrels. Its toasty mineral and vanilla bean-scented aromatics lead to a medium to full-bodied personality awash in fruits. Creamy minerals and pears are found in its concentrated, focused, and lengthy character. Drink this beauty between 2007 and 2014.

2004 Domaine
Joseph Drouhin Chablis Domaine
de Vaudon

The 2004 Chablis Domaine de Vaudon bursts from the glass with creamed lemons, minerals, and spices. This medium-bodied wine reveals lovely white pepper, pear, and candied lemon flavors in its satin-textured, well-focused character. Drink it over the next 3-4 years.

 

2004 Musigny



An exotic and spicy nose features raspberry, red current, anise and clove notes that give way to sweet, classy and notably finely detailed flavors that are also relatively forward early but tighten up considerably on the backend. In most vintages, this is the undisputed class of the cellar and while it may ultimately be so once again, in 2004 it has competition. Still, lovely stuff by any standard.

2004 Grands Echézeaux



A noticeably more elegant nose that is stunningly pure with a really lovely mix of black pinot fruit
and violet aromas that lead to rich, sweet and stylish medium full flavors that offer exceptionally good detail and admirably well-integrated structure on the tight and long finish. As this wine usually goes, the tannins are quite refined and while this is not a truly big wine, the class is immediately obvious. If I were only going to buy one of the ’04 Drouhin grands crus, it would either be this or the Musigny.

 

Joseph Drouhin 2003 Beaune Clos des Mouches
92 Points


This luscious chardonnay meets the New World with its richness while staying true to its Burgundian roots with a long, earthy savor. It's ripe, but neither hot nor sweet, the succulence of the fruit lasting with a kumquat flavor and mineral complexity. Balanced to age five to eight years from the vintage.

Joseph Drouhin 2004 Chablis Premier Cru Montmains
91 Points

The ripeness of the vintage makes this feel expansive, even as the structure of the wine is racy and tight. It packs a lot of youthful tension, feeling firm and clean for now. The lasting scent of yellow herbs should develop into a broader fruit tone with age. For the cellar.

 

Top 100
of 2005


Joseph Drouhin 2003 Grands-Echezeaux

A wonderful, perfumed , black fruitball of a wine, with intense flavors that has a balance of dense red fruits and dark, structured tannins. The purity of the fruit is a reflection of the organic vineyard practices by the Drouhin family, and the tannins show that this is a wine that will age. Imported by Dreyfus, Ashby & Co.

 

 

 

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