Today we share one of the all-time greats out of Oregon. It is hard to believe that Domaine Drouhin Oregon began in in the 1980s, 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 built the landmark, four-story gravity flow winery. I had a great visit to the winery in August and am always blown away with the sweeping views of the Willamette Valley. I’ve been lucky enough to have DDO bottlings back more than twenty years in my family’s personal collection.
The wines I tasted were incredible, showcasing the warm 2021 vintage. I adored the 2021 Domaine Drouhin Oregon ‘Laurene’ Pinot Noir (OB, 97) which is arguably the finest bottling of its kind that I have ever tasted — up there with the epic 2002 bottling. Don’t miss out on the outstanding value 2021 Domaine Drouhin ‘Dundee Hills’ Pinot Noir (OB, 94) which is also arguably the finest bottling of its kind that I have ever tasted. Learn more about this iconic Oregon winery at http://www.domainedrouhin.com/ Here are the awesome new releases from Domaine Drouhin Oregon.
2021 Domaine Drouhin ‘Arthur’ Chardonnay- The 2021 ‘Arthur’ was stored in only 15% new French oak as well as stainless steel before bottling. Brioche notes combine with Pazzaz apple and wet stone on the nose. The palate is fresh and vibrant with smooth texture and great a sense of weight. Drink 2023-2031- 93
2021 RoseRock Chardonnay- The 2021 RoseRock Chardonnay was also stored in roughly 15% new French oak before bottling. Very smooth and mineral-driven on the approach, this shows a silky mouthfeel. Layers of bright orchard fruits parade with lemon rind, vanilla cream and suggestions of baking spices on the palate. Drink 2023-2031- 93
2021 Domaine Drouhin ‘Edition Limitee’ Chardonnay- The 2021 Domaine Drouhin ‘Edition Limitee’ Chardonnay is a stunning wine that is amongst the finest you will taste in the Willamette Valley. Smooth and polished throughout the drinking experience, this yields bright pear and pastry crust flavors alongside baking spice dusted pineapple, showing the warmth of the vintage. This has a mind-numbing, minute long finish that just won’t stop. A true tour de force, this beauty will live on for decades to come. Drink 2023-2040- 97
2021 RoseRock ‘Maigold’ Chardonnay- The ‘Maigold’ is the top Chardonnay bottling by RoseRock that was stored in 50% French oak before bottling. The bright acidity and smooth texture really entices, as this is a seamless Chardonnay to sip. Bright lime zest and creme brûlée notes combine with shades of cinnamon and cloves. Finishing very long, this is generous and dense Willamette Valley Chardonnay that is drinking beautifully in its heady youth. Drink 2023-2039- 96
2021 Domaine Drouhin ‘Dundee Hills’ Pinot Nor- The beautiful 2021 Domaine Drouhin ‘Dundee Hills’ Pinot Noir is already wonderful to enjoy right now. This might be the best edition of this wine that I have tasted over the past twenty years. On the nose this takes on black truffle notes alongside wild blackberry and shades of peat moss. The palate is silky and refined with soft tannins and a brilliant core of red and dark fruit flavors. Delicious and bursting with flavor, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2023-2033- 94
2021 RoseRock Pinot Noir- The outstanding 2021 RoseRock Pinot Noir comes from this hot vintage in the Willamette Valley. Nicely structured, with good weight, citrus zest and loads of mouth-watering acidity, this is absolutely delicious Pinot Noir that is drinking beautifully right now. Drink 2023-2031- 93
2021 Domaine Drouhin ‘Origine 34’ Pinot Noir- The 2021 ‘Origine 34’ comes from top Pinot Noir barrels that were considered for ‘Laurene’ Pinot Noir. Stored in only 25% new French oak, this offers white truffle shavings alongside boysenberry, black cherry and notes of pine needles. The palate is nicely structured, with a seamless texture and serious underlying finesse. Bright red fruits combine with Mandarin orange rind and Enoki mushroom with umami accents on the palate. Drink 2023-2038- 95
2021 Domaine Drouhin ‘Laurene’ Pinot Noir- The nose on this 2021 ‘Laurene’ is utterly fabulous. Black truffle, anise, dark currants and shades of cigar box fill the nose alongside freshly tilled soils. The palate is just so wonderfully balanced, showing great weight and poise, as this effortlessly glides throughout the drinking experience. A massive core of red and dark fruits combine with garrigue and shades of Nori. This will easily be a 20 year wine. Drink 2023-2043- 97
2021 Domaine Drouhin ‘Edition Limitee’ Pinot Noir- The incredible 2021 Domaine Drouhin ‘Edition Limitee’ Pinot Noir is a sensational warm vintage effort that is already showing beautifully. The palate is dense, chewy and filled with power, with fantastic tension holding everything together. Seamless and seductive throughout the drinking experience with heady dark fruits, this is a monumental bottling that is amongst the finest you will taste in Oregon. Drink 2023-2043- 97
2021 RoseRock ‘Zephrine’ Pinot Noir- The 2021 ‘Zephrine’ Pinot Noir was stored for 15 months in 25% new French oak before bottling. Bottled in February 2023 this comes off very elegant and silky on the palate, as this is driven by a gorgeous pure core of red and dark fruit flavors alongside red rose water, orange rind and suggestions of tobacco leaf. Drink 2023-2040- 95