Joseph Drouhin Chassagne-Montrachet Blanc 2022

Grown in the prestigious Côte de Beaune, this wondrous Chardonnay hails from the picturesque village of Chassagne-Montrachet. The wine is steeped in both artistry and tradition, coming from the great Burgundian estate of Joseph Drouhin, which has existed since 1880. Its elegance is unparalleled, taking on at once a full-flavored yet lightweight feel with concentrated refinement worthy of the steeper price tag...though, here at First Bottle, you can find it at a salivatory 33% off!

The third generation of the Drouhin family runs the estate today, which has amassed 100 hectares of vineyards across Burgundy, covering Chablis, Côte de Nuits, Côte de Beaune, Côte Chalonnaise, and Mâconnais, and mainly comprises of Grand and Premier Crus. The family’s goal is all at once simple, yet striving – they call for “elegant perfection” in all that they do and produce. This focus has earned them a reputation for exceptional wines made with a commitment to tradition while intertwining strategic, thoughtful advances of modern-day technologies to craft some of the most unbelievable Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs you’ll find anywhere in the world.

The 2022 vintage in Burgundy – and specifically the Côte de Beaune – was borderline flawless, with warm and dry conditions that led to fruit with a strong balance, premium ripeness, rich fruit characters, and a soft and tingly acidity. This wine comes from the quaint Chassagne-Montrachet village in the southern part of the Côte de Beaune – a sprawling and enchanting hillside containing extensive marble quarries that form something akin to cliff faces, whose pink and beige flagstones were used in the construction of the Louvre Pyramid and the Trocadero in Paris. Altitudes vary between 220 to 325 meters above sea level here, with complex soils made of marl, limestone, yellow or red clay, scree, and gravel. The grapes are grown on a mild slope with good sun exposure, allowing for the ultimate ripening of grapes, hand harvested prior to malo fermentation and aging in 20% new oak barrels for 14 to 16 months.

Ripe citrus and orchard fruit mingle, expressing notes of candied lemon peel, baked apples, and tangerine upon your initial sniff and taste. An aside of delicate floral notes of orange blossom and jasmine dance through the scene, along with hints of gingerbread, toasted hazelnut, and a tingly, spicy white peppercorn sensation. Richly textured and delightfully round, with an ever-lasting finish, it’s generous and luxurious and so easy to sip! Overall, this wine is a proper White Burgundy success from a heralded family whose wines often reach high into the three-figure marks – but today you can get a taste for under $100! Make your moves accordingly!