Joseph Drouhin : Corton Grand cru 2018

Domaine Joseph Drouhin crafts a balanced and exceptionally refined Pinot Noir

The estate
For four generations, Domaine Joseph Drouhin has been an essential benchmark for the great wines of Burgundy.

Founded in 1880 by a 22-year-old Joseph Drouhin, the estate grew over the years to reach its current size of 80 hectares spread across renowned appellations (Beaune, Bonnes-Mares, Chassagne-Montrachet, Clos Vougeot, Corton-Charlemagne, Grands-Echezeaux, Pouilly-Fuissé, etc.).
A family of pioneers, they championed respect for the terroir and the environment as early as 1957, both in the management of their vineyards and in the crafting of their great wines.
Authentically expressing the mosaic and richness of Burgundy’s terroirs, the red and white wines of Domaine Joseph Drouhin are renowned for their elegance, their intense fruity aromas and their delectable complexity.

The vineyard
Corton is the only Grand Cru of the Côte de Beaune. This Corton Grand Cru 2018 comes from south-east-facing vines on the hill of Corton, planted on clay-limestone soil whose good drainage and deep rooting contribute to the signature of this great wine.

This cuvée is made from grapes purchased from partner growers. Yields are deliberately kept low, at 39 hl/hectare, in order to reveal the nuances and contours of each terroir.

The vintage
Autumn and winter 2017–2018 were marked by above-average rainfall, which replenished the water tables. The cool temperatures and lack of sunlight in March slowed down the vine’s growth cycle.
Milder conditions from mid-April onwards accelerated vegetative development. The estate’s teams remained vigilant, as the combination of frequent rain and very mild temperatures could lead to mildew.

Favourable summer conditions encouraged good ripening, and the vines, drawing on the water reserves built up in spring, did not suffer from drought. Uneven rainfall across different sectors resulted in heterogeneous véraison throughout the vineyard. Rain in early September, together with the return of light morning dew, got ripening back on track. The harvest was homogeneous, with generous yields. The vineyard was healthy and the grapes were of high quality.

Vinification and ageing
Hand-harvested and hand-sorted, the grapes undergo maceration and vinification lasting 2 to 3 weeks in total. Only indigenous yeasts are used for fermentation. Extraction is carried out with great care to give the wine colour, structure, finesse and typicity.
The wine is aged for 14 to 18 months in French oak barrels (20% new), seasoned for over 3 years to enhance the finesse of the wines.

Blend
Domaine Joseph Drouhin’s Corton Grand Cru 2018 is 100% Pinot Noir.

Tasting notes
Appearance

The wine displays a beautiful red colour.
Nose

Powerful, the nose reveals fragrances of candied fruit that evolve towards musky and spicy notes.
Palate

Firmly structured in its youth, the palate reveals fine tannins balanced by the “fleshiness” characteristic of the appellation. Combined with a delicious acidity, persistent aromas echo the candied fruit notes detected on the first nose.

Serving
For optimal enjoyment, serve at 16°C.

Ageing potential
Already approachable today, Domaine Joseph Drouhin’s Corton Grand Cru 2018 can be cellared until 2043 to express the full extent of its aromatic richness.