Joseph Drouhin : Beaune 1er cru "Clos des Mouches" 2022

The highly esteemed white Clos des Mouches from Drouhin boasts marvellous aromas of ripe pear, hazelnut, acacia and beeswax along with the lovely, slightly bitter notes French tasters call 'beaux amers'. There is an elegant structure and enough freshness to ensure long ageing. The wine is assembled from 35 parcels covering roughly seven hectares; the domaine spends ten days picking the grapes – four different days for the white alone. The fruit is fermented in cask (25% new) and aged over two winters before bottling.

A very svelte, silky pinot noir that glides onto the palate with ripe cherries, cooked plums and a reserve of tangy, sour cherries that keep it lively and well balanced. One of Drouhin’s super-consistent bottlings year in and year out, and this is an excellent year. Drink now or hold.