Year-End Dinner - Domaine Drouhin

     Thursday November 21, 2019

Reservations Closed
Course Pairing / Description Wine
Hors D’oeuvres Pear and Brie Mini Roll; Chicken Pate in Crostini
The vineyard is in the northernmost region of Burgundy, located in a dramatic circle of hills where vines have been planted for hundreds of years. In the sixties, when the Chablis vineyards were all but abandoned, Robert Drouhin recognized the potential of this region which had been ravaged by the phylloxera disease a century before. He was one of the first Burgundy proprietaires who set about revitalizing the area. This wine comes from grapes harvested on some parcels of the Drouhin Family Properties as well as from grapes and musts purchased from supply partners. The 2018 wines are a reflection of the sunny vintage. The maturity of the year is carried by a subtle freshness that gives length and dynamism in the mouth. Drouhin vinified their wines on good lees which should maintain their freshness and aromatic complexity This is a dry and fruity wine, easy to drink. Its color is pale gold with greenish hues. It has very fresh aromas reminiscent of citrus (lemon or grapefruit); small pleasant touches of fern or coriander are found as well. On the palate, dry and fruity, with mineral notes. It has a pleasant and long aftertaste. 		Domaine Drouhin Vaudon Chablis 2018
Salad Course Roasted Beet and Wild Green Salad Wild Berry Vinaigrette
This vineyard is at the southern end of Burgundy, just north of Beaujolais. The appellation Saint-Véran is actually larger than the territory of the commune. The actual village of Saint-Vérand is spelled differently (note the final “d”). Established by decree in 1971, it is the latest appellation in the Mâconnais region. As with every other Joseph Drouhin wine, absolute priority is given to the true expression of terroir and character of the vintage. Exceptional weather conditions gave a very healthy crop of high quality. White wines show a very pleasant balance. They deliver aromas of flowers and ripe fruits. This 100% Chardonnay is a wine that smiles and makes you smile! It is stylistically close to Pouilly-Fuissé, with its golden hue, its greenish reflection and its refreshing taste. The aromas are reminiscent of the ripe Chardonnay grape, with subtle notes of musk. A pleasant roundness coats the palate. 		Domaine Drouhin Saint-Véran 2018
Polenta Course Creamy Three Cheese Polenta and Wild Mushroom Ragu
According to the appellation laws, 16 different villages of the Côte de Beaune (Aloxe-Corton, Beaune, Pommard and Volnay are the exceptions) can be blended to make Côte de Beaune Villages. Joseph Drouhin carefully selects the grapes of only a few of these villages and seeks total control of the process of extraction; extraction gives color and substance but should never be detrimental to the finesse and typical character of the wine. Joseph Drouhin insists on total control of the weathering for a period of 3 years, one of the contributing elements to the elegance of the wine. Throughout the aging process, decisions are taken only after careful tasting evaluation, barrel by barrel. The data obtained is then completed through technical analysis. As with every other Joseph Drouhin wine, absolute priority is given to the true expression of terroir and character of the vintage. The 2016 crop was low in quantity but its quality provides a nice surprise. The mature grapes gave deep ruby-colored wines displaying notes of black fruit mingled with hints of violet and spices. The palate is round and generous. The wines are typical of their terroir. This wine is 100% Pinot Noir and is both simple and elegant. A nice purple color. Delicate red fruit aromas on the nose. This is a great example of what the Pinot Noir grape can produce on the Burgundian terroir. 		Domaine Drouhin Côte de Beaune - Villages 2016
Pork Course Citrus Braised Pork Belly, Parsnip Pure, Olive Jam and Blue Cheese Crumbles
Very close to Beaune, as the name indicates, this wine is from a small appellation around the tiny village of Chorey, at the foot of the hill of Corton. The vineyard of Chorey-les-Beaune was founded in 1237 by Edouard de Froment, the Duke of Burgundy’s step-nephew. The wine is often sold under the more common appellation of Côte-de-Beaune Villages. Drouhin owns vineyards in Chorey (pronounced “Sho-Ray”). As is the case every year, for the 2017 vintage, Drouhin sorted the grapes at once to select the most beautiful bunches to be kept in whole clusters and to remove berries that could present a lack of maturity. The sanitary state was very satisfactory with almost no rot. Very quickly at the beginning of the fermentations, the colors were released and gradually the varietal character of Pinot Noir was expressed. Drouhin favored this aromatic expression to look for balanced wines without too much power. The tannins are nicely melted, the acidity levels from normal to low. The fermentations and macerations lasted about 3 weeks. In the course of the winter, the malolactic fermentations were triggered and proceeded sometimes rather quickly. This 100% Pinot Noir is very pleasant wine with bright, clear red color. Aromas are surprising in their intensity and fruit. On the palate, it has a tender, supple, graceful, round body. Very flavorful 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 will take on a distinctive smell of truffle and undergrowth evolving towards notes of venison. 		Domaine Drouhin Chorey-Les-Beaune 2017
Dessert Course Sticky Rum and Honey Cake
Roserock is an extraordinary vineyard at the southern tip of the Eola-Amity Hills, in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Ancient volcanic soils, an ideal elevation range and the unique cooling effect of the Van Duzer corridor produce classic cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Roserock is LIVE-certified sustainable. The Roserock Pinot Noir is a cuvée selection from the estate’s 35 blocks, which are handpicked, sorted and individually fermented. While Pinot Noirs from the Eola-Amity Hills are typically known for their structure and power, Véronique Drouhin emphasizes Roserock’s elegant and refined qualities, making for a delicious and age worthy cuvée. The warm, long growing season of 2015 brought a second straight harvest of exceptional quality. Looking back, a warmer than average winter led to an early budbreak and nearly six months of charmed growing conditions. Just before harvest, the vineyards were able to enjoy some needed rain, but the skies were largely clear. As temperatures cooled, they were offered a welcome opportunity to pick as each block reached its perfect moment. Ripeness and flavor found their natural balance providing a second stunning vintage. Capturing the eye, charming the nose and enchanting the palate, the 2015 Roserock Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir has a velvety approach and focused structure. Balanced and long on the palate, the elegance shines through many layers of flavors. This is a wine that will be delicious young but that has a bright future. 		Domaine Drouhin Oregon Roserock Pinot Noir 2015