Joseph Drouhin Côte de Nuits-Villages 2022

Joseph Drouhin is one of Burgundy's largest and most established houses, founded in Beaune in 1880 and still family run across some 80 hectares. This wine comes from the Côte de Nuits-Villages appellation at the northern end of the Côte d'Or, where limestone and marl soils and a cool continental climate produce structured, savoury Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir is well suited to these well drained calcareous slopes, ripening slowly so that acidity stays fresh and tannins stay fine. After fermentation the wine spends 12 months in French oak barrels, where the slow passage of oxygen through the wood softens the tannins and adds a restrained spice and toast without covering the fruit. The 2022 is medium bodied, with red cherry, raspberry and a little plum, an earthy, mineral Côte de Nuits character and a subtle oak frame. The palate is fresh and balanced, the tannins fine, the finish clean and savoury. Serve at 15 to 16 degrees in a wide glass. It suits duck, roast poultry and mushrooms.