2011 Beaune Clos des Mouches Blanc
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Tasting notes
Medium yellow; not perfectly lucid. Sexy if discreet aromas of pear, peach, lemon oil, clove and almond. A very classically dry, minerally midweight; not at all a glyceral style but shows excellent definition. More about minerals and brown spices than fruit but this rather unforthcoming wine still needs time to open. But will it ever really soften up? From a very early harvest here, beginning on August 29. Véronique Drouhin told me that she likes the 2011 whites but finds some of the reds "a bit green and thin." (38 h/h; 3.22 pH; 4.05 g/l acidity)
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Tasted blind at the Burgundy 2011 horizontal tasting in Beaune. Again, there is some SO2 masking the fruit and delineation on Joseph Drouhin’s Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Mouches that rather deadens the vigor. The palate is just a little reduced on the entry. There is moderate acidity here, not a complex white burgundy, for it is lacking some concentration. But the finish has a prolonged spicy tincture that adds a little intrigue. I was expecting a more positive showing - perhaps this bottle was not quite showing at its best?
Reticent nose hints at red berries. Tight, dry and backward, opening grudgingly in the glass to show notes of pear, stone, mace and anise. Shows an exotic aspect but a strong mineral underpinning keeps it light on its feet. Finishes dry and long. As always, an ageworthy wine with a distinctive personality.
About the producer
Joseph Drouhin is one of the largest and most famous producers in Burgundy, making both domaine and négociant wines. It remains family-owned and run, now in the hands of the fourth generation.