One of the true Oregon Wine Pioneers, Domaine Drouhin Oregon (DDO) has become one of the best producers of Oregon Chardonnay and Pinot Noir for more than a decade. Wines are moderately priced and reflect their rich Burgundian history. ounded back in in the 1980s, the DDO was founded by famed Burgundy producer, Domaine Drouhin, headed by Robert Drouhin, who decided to purchase land in the Dundee Hills. What was previously only Christmas trees and wheat, the Drouhin family began planting their first vineyards in Oregon. Robert chose his daughter, Véronique, to serve as DDO winemaker, and her brother Philippe Drouhin took responsibility for viticulture. In 1988, DDO produced its first vintage, from purchased grapes, and in 1989 they built their landmark, four-story gravity flow winery.
I recently had the chance to taste with their general manager, David Millman, and was blown away with the quality of the wines across the board. Prior to professionally reviewing Oregon wines, Domaine Drouhin Oregon has been one of my favorite stops since I first visited the Willamette Valley in 2002. My uncle, Dr. Brian Lueth, first introduced me to this estate, with some epic ‘Laurene’ bottling from the 1990s and early 2000s. Needless to say, quality has remained very high at this famed Oregon estate. Those wines are still singing as I have recently sampled the 2002 ‘Laurene’ Pinot Noir, which is marvelously earthy and still has a ton of poise.
The new release Pinot Noir wines were downright thrilling, coming from the exciting 2017 vintage. This was a warm vintage that saw a few heat spikes which could be a challenge for some wineries. The 2017 Domaine Drouhin Oregon ‘Laurene’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 95) is a dense and layered effort that has striking minerality and massive cellaring potential. I was totally blown away with their barrel selection wine that can only be purchased at the winery, their 2017 Domaine Drouhin Oregon ‘Edition Limitee’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 95) which is a true heavyhitter of a wine that has a silky mouthfeel and is incredibly polished even in its exciting youthful progression. Learned more about this iconic Oregon winery at http://www.domainedrouhin.com/ Here are the awesome new releases from Domaine Drouhin Oregon.
2017 Domaine Drouhin ‘Arthur’ Chardonnay- The 2017 ‘Arthur’ Chardonnay is a spectacular new wine by Domaine Drouhin. On the nose this takes on wonderful buttered brioche and banana with wet stone aromatics that meld together in the glass. The palate has great freshness and verve, with a lovely texture. Bright green apple flavors collide with minerals and vanilla cream. The long finish lingers. Drink 2020-2030- 92
2018 Domaine Drouhin ‘Edition Limitee’ Chardonnay- The 2018 ‘Edition Limitee’ Chardonnay is a gorgeous new bottling from this famed estate in the Willamette Valley. On the nose you are immediately drawn to butterscotch and toasted hazelnut tones that come together in the glass. The combination of weight, freshness and texture is downright ethereal. Full-bodied, the seamless quality, almost weightless effect mid-palate is stunning. This finishes extremely long with minerals and vanilla cream. This wine is so seamless and downright delicious that you are constantly brought back to the glass for more delight. Truly a heavyhitter, the 2018 ‘Edition Limitee’ Chardonnay will truly be one for the ages. Drink 2020-2040- 95
2017 Domaine Drouhin ‘Dundee Hills’ Pinot Noir- The 2017 ‘Dundee Hills’ Pinot Noir shows wonderful white truffle tones that meld with the core of red and dark fruits on this expressive nose. The palate is marvelously well-balanced with bright red cherry and red raspberry tones that connect with shades of teaberry and damp earth. The freshness and richness of the wine is downright outstanding. While marvelous in its youth, the 2017 Domaine Drouhin ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir will cellar well for the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2020-2033- 93
2016 Domaine Drouhin ‘Laurene’ Pinot Noir- The 2016 ‘Laurene’ Pinot Noir is a delightful effort that is showing marvelously in its youth but will provide great drinking enjoyment for decades to come. On the nose this shows off its marvelous damp earth tones that meld with shades of wild blackberry pie and cloves that all mingle together in the glass. The aromatic range is seriously good. The palate is full-bodied and has simply thrilling texture and range from showing red fruits to exotic spices and lovely peat moss and forest floor tones. Gorgeous now, this simply thrilling wine will have another twenty years ahead of it. Drink 2021-2040- 95
2017 Domaine Drouhin ‘Laurene’ Pinot Noir- Released in Fall 2020, the 2017 ‘Laurene’ isa magical new bottling that has decades to go in the cellar. Not needing a decant, right out of the gate this lively wine opens with lovely black truffle and damp earth tones that meld with red raspberry cordial and shades of cinnamon and clove that all take shape in the glass. The palate is artfully balanced, with scintillating length and texture. Rich dark fruits combine with the peat moss and damp earth tones on the palate. Marvelous in its youth, the 2017 ‘Laurene’ will have a long life ahead of it. Try to give this at least 1-2 years of bottle age before enjoying. Drink 2022-2040- 95
2017 Domaine Drouhin ‘Louise’ Pinot Noir- The 2017 ‘Louise’ Pinot Noir is a magical effort from Domaine Drouhin. Showing serious weight and length, the wine has intense black and red fruits that exotic spices, black truffle and shades of blood orange zest. Full-bodied and intense, this beautiful wine really needs a year or two to fully develop. Drink 2022-2040- 94
2017 Domaine Drouhin ‘Edition Limitee’ Pinot Noir- The 2017 ‘Edition Limitee ‘Pinot Noir is a simply magical new wine by famed winemaker Veronique Drouhin. Needing a lot of time in the bottle to fully unwind, the ‘Edition Limitee’ Pinot now has serious range from red currants to red raspberry cordial and baking spices alongside damp earth tones that all come together magically on the palate. Showing great freshness and verve, the 2017 ‘Edition Limitee’ will have many years to go. Drink 2023-2040- 95