Joseph Drouhin Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru “Petits Monts” 2021

Notes:

Producer: Maison Joseph Drouhin was founded in 1880 and is one of Burgundy's most important family-owned estates. The domaine farms approximately 93 hectares throughout Burgundy and has practiced organic viticulture since the late 1980s, with biodynamic farming adopted across much of the estate in the 1990s.
Vineyard: Les Petits Monts is one of the most highly regarded Premier Cru vineyards in Vosne-Romanée. Located directly above Romanée-Conti on the slope, the vineyard sits on shallow, rocky clay-limestone soils with excellent drainage. Its elevated position and proximity to some of Burgundy's greatest Grand Crus have long made it one of the commune's most sought-after Premier Crus.
Winemaking: Grapes are harvested entirely by hand and fermented with indigenous yeasts. Depending on the vintage, Drouhin incorporates 20-50% whole clusters during fermentation. Maceration lasts approximately 2-3 weeks, followed by aging in French oak barrels for 14-18 months, with approximately 25% new oak. The focus remains on expressing vineyard character rather than oak influence.
Vintage: The 2021 growing season was one of the smallest harvests in recent Burgundy history due to frost and challenging weather conditions. The resulting wines are classically proportioned, emphasizing freshness, aromatic complexity, lower alcohol levels, and elegance rather than power. Many growers view 2021 as a return to a more traditional Burgundian style.
Food Pairing: Roast duck, squab, venison, beef tenderloin, mushroom-based dishes, truffle preparations, and aged cheeses such as Époisses and Comté. The wine's structure and aromatic complexity make it particularly well suited to game and earthy dishes.