2011 Maison Joseph Drouhin Beaune Clos des Mouches 1er Cru

Tasted blind at the Burgundy 2011 horizontal tasting in Beaune. I am unsure about this bottle of Drouhin’s Beaune Clos des Mouche '11, which tasted better in the past. It exhibits some brett on the nose that slightly muffles the red berry fruit, rendering it a little rustic in style. The palate is medium-bodied with solid, ripe tannins. There is plenty of chewy red fruit here, although it feels quite stern on the structured finish that tapers off a little rapidly. I suspect another bottle would perform with more aplomb.

The 2011 Beaune Clos des Mouches impresses for its intensity. Green pears, exotic flowers, mint, citrus and crushed rocks are all very much alive in the glass. The flavors are beautifully defined in a salivating, crystalline wine full of personality. Clos des Mouches remains one of the undiscovered jewels of Burgundy in its price range. The 2011 is likely to enjoy broad drinking window that will last several decades.