Joseph Drouhin Chorey-les-Beaune 2021
(Burgundy, France) - [VM 89-91]

About the Wine:

Directly North of Beaune, Chorey is a tiny village surrounded by Savigny-les-Beaune, Aloxe-Corton and Ladoix. The soil is made of clay and limestone. The wine is often sold under the more common appellation of Côte-de-Beaune Villages. 

History & Tradition:

The wine is often sold under the more common appellation of Côte-de-Beaune Villages. Drouhin owns vineyards in Chorey (pronounced “Sho-Ray”). Soil: clay and limestone. 
Drouhin estate: 3.25 acres. Average age of the vines: 53 years.

Viticulture:
• Biological cultivation since 1990; biodynamic cultivation a few years later. 
• Treatment: only authorized products for biological cultivation are used: infusions and macerations of plant materials, sulfur and copper, powdered rock. Natural predators are not eliminated. 
• Supply: grapes from the domaine in addition to grapes and must purchased from regular supply partners (long-term contracts).

Vinification:

Harvesting: by hand, in small open crates in order to preserve the integrity of the fruit. Sorting of the grapes: in the vineyard and at the cuverie (winery) if necessary. Maceration: maceration and vinification take 2 to 3 weeks indigenous yeasts maceration and fermentation temperatures under total control. “Pigeage” (punching down of the cap during fermentation): once a day until half of fermentation is done; one pumping over (remontage) per day till the end of the fermentation. Pressing: separation of free run juice from pressed juice. 

Ageing Type: in barrels (10% in new oak) Length: 12 to 15 months.

Tasting note by Véronique Boss-Drouhin -”A very pleasant wine. Bright, clear red colour. Aromas are surprising in their intensity and fruit. On the palate, a tender, supple, graceful, round body. Very flavourful in the aftertaste, with a hint of blackberry jam. When the wine gets older, wild blackberry is the dominant aroma. After 3 or 5 years, the 
wine takes on a distinctive smell of truffle and undergrowth evolving towards notes of venison”. 

2021 Vintage: The red wines are delicate. They offer a nice ruby red colour and aromas of fresh and ripe red fruit. This lovely fruity expression is also present on the palate, with notes of cherry or raspberry. The textures are delicate and the tannins very silky.

Ratings & Reviews

89-91 Points - Vinous Media:

From Drouhin's own parcel augmented by purchased fruit, the 2021 Chorey-lès-Beaune has attractive brambly red fruit intermixed with tertiary scents. More vigour than the Rully. The palate is vivid with red cherries and crushed strawberry, with fine depth. Though not earth-shattering in complexity, this has a joie-de-vivre  that I appreciate. This could well represent great value." - Neal Martin (Jan 2023)