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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
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Visit www.drouhin.com
for the complete history of Joseph Drouhin
MACON VILLAGES |
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 Background:
Mâcon is a large area located in the Southern part
of Burgundy, next to Pouilly-Fuissé. The clay and limestone
soil of the Jurassic era found in this region is well suited for
the Chardonnay grape variety. The grape juice ferments in stainless-steel
fermenters at a rather low temperature. Bottling is done early
in the Spring following the harvest.
Tasting Notes: Mâcon-Villages is a flowery,
fruity wine with a clear and brilliant hue. It has a crisp, medium
body and a clean, lean acidity. Very pleasant finish.
Food Pairing: It is a perfect accompaniment to
full flavoured fish dishes and charcuterie. Try it also alone
as an aperitif.
As with other white wines, Mâcon-Villages should be served
chilled but not cold. It is meant to be enjoyed when young, the
wine being at its best after one or two years of ageing.
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POUILLY FUISSE |
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Background: The area of production of this famous
appellation is South of Mâcon. This is where the contours
of the hills become more marked, the cliffs of Vergisson and Solutré
forming an impressive back-drop. The vineyards completely blanket
the slopes and are located on "cirques", facing East
and South-East, at 250 to 350 meters above sea-level (750 to 1
050 feet). The soil is a mixture a clay and chalk from the Jurassic
era.
The geographical area comprises the villages of Fuissé,
Solutré, Vergisson and Chaintré.
The only grape variety used there is the Chardonnay. Every year,
Robert DROUHIN makes a careful selection of several cuvées
of Pouilly-Fuissé. Brought to the winery in Beaune, the
wine matures in the cellars before being bottled in the Spring.
Tasting Notes: Pouilly-Fuissé has an
emerald-golden hue. It is usually very brilliant. The bouquet
is seductive : floral and fruity with a dominance of ripe fruit
and fresh almonds.
After some time in the bottle, Pouilly-Fuissé develops
a lovely, complex bouquet. On the palate, the wine is round and
dry. As such, it is a nice expression of the Chardonnay.
Although Pouilly-Fuissé can be enjoyed young after one
or two years of age, it can be left a few years in the cellar,
provided that it comes from a good vintage.
Food Pairing : The wine should be served at 12
to 14oC. It goes well with shellfish, fish, quenelles, white meats
in creamy sauce, poultry and sweetbreads.
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SAINT VERAN |
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Background: A wine lover travelling through
Burgundy would expect, after Pouilly-Fuissé, to be in the
Beaujolais area.
Not so fast ! The lovely village of Saint-Vérand (note
the different spelling !), wedged between these two areas, is
half hidden among the hills. Established by decree on January
6th 1971, it is the latest appellation in the Mâconnais
region. Its Jurassic chalky soil, a continuation of the limestone
strata found in the Côte d'Or, is ideal for growing Chardonnay
grapes. Picked by hand, the grapes (100% Chardonnay) are gently
pressed. The juice ferments and is aged in oak barrels, with a
very small percentage of new oak so as not to overwhelm the wine.
Bottling is usually done in the Spring following harvest.
Tasting Notes: Saint-Véran is very close
stylistically to Pouilly-Fuissé, with its golden green
hue, its intense fruity, flowery nose and its refreshing flavours.
It can be enjoyed very young, two to three months after bottling.
Yet, give it one or two more years to fully appreciate its complexity.
Food Pairing: 11 to 13oC is the correct temperature
to serve a Saint-Véran. It marries well with hors-d'oeuvre,
delicately flavoured charcuterie, oysters, mussels and any other
shellfish.
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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.
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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.
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