Joseph Drouhin Volnay

Medium ruby colour. Medium (+) and developing nose with ripe raspberry, ripe red cherry, charred wood, forest floor, mocha and chocolate. Medium (+) taste of ripe raspberry, strawberry, ripe red cherry, charred wood, forest floor, mocha and chocolate. Long and dry finish. High acidity. Medium and grainy tannins. Medium body. A very good Volnay that lacks the velvety touch I’m used to with Volnay. Drink now or over the next five years. Goes well with duck, pork or poultry.

While quite young and tightly wound, this wine shows a good presentation of the village — cherry, muddled strawberry, mushroom, and a bit of spice that plays through the back of the palate into a medium+ finish. Not overly complex, and not a value stunner at the $67 I paid, but delivers what I’m looking for in Burgundy — freshness of fruit layered over a bit of tension

Meritage: Joseph Drouhin Dinner with Laurent Drouhin (Meritage, St. Paul) : Medium dark red color. Drank a glass over 40 minutes at the Meritage/Drouhin dinner. Young, green notes, deep ripe red fruits, damp earth just oozes out, a little pipe tobacco on the nose. The palate has peppery dark red and black fruits, sleek texture, green earthiness, vanilla, tart raspberry and cherry. Needs a little time. 90-91pts.