drouhin balson

Our wines

Beaune Premier Cru

Beaune Premier Cru

Service

  • Cellaring

    Optimal consumption: 8 to 13 years

    Ageing potential: 15 years

  • Tasting temperature

    16°C (61-62°F)

Grape variety

Pinot Noir

Vineyard

Producing commune: Beaune.

Site: at mid-slope, on the hillside above the city of Beaune.

History & tradition: the name « Beaune » comes from « Belen », the Celtic god, and « Belena » the river that crosses the city. Some of the vineyards, surrounded by small walls and paths still extant today, were already cultivated at the time of the Gallo-Romans.

The Beaune Premier Cru wines are produced on small vineyards, too small to be harvested and vinified together. The name given to this wine is therefore Beaune Premier Cru (since the components of this « cuvée » are all Premier Crus).

Soil: clay and limestone.

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Tasting

by Véronique Boss-Drouhin

Generous wine of intense and brilliant red colour, with a fleshy texture. Open and pleasant nose. The aromas, reminiscent of red fruit, humus and undergrowth, evolve with age towards touches of spice and vanilla.

Vintage

In 2008, the colours are deep and clear. The wines have a nice body, the attack on the palate is frank and rich with an intense tannic structure. A robust vintage.  

Vintage review

Winemaking

Supply: this wine comes from grapes harvested on some parcels of the Drouhin Family Properties as well as from grapes and musts purchased from supply partners according to rigorous specifications.

Harvest: grapes harvested by hands in open-work crates. If necessary, a careful sorting is proceeded.

Vinification: total destemming. In accordance with the terroir and the profile of the vintage, we do 2 to 3 weeks of fermentation and maceration in small open vats, marked by punching of the cap and pumping-over. The yeasts are indigenous (natural). Pressing in a vertical press. Separation of the ends of the presses based on tasting.

Ageing:  in oak barrels including 20 to 25% of new barrels.
The ageing lasts between 14 to 16 months.
Origin of the wood: oak grown in French high forest.

Throughout the ageing process, decisions are taken only after careful tasting evaluation. The data obtained is completed through technical analysis. As with every other Joseph Drouhin wine, absolute priority is given to the true expression of terroir and character of the vintage.