We present one of Oregon’s historic wineries today, set in the Dundee Hills. Domaine Drouhin Oregon began in in the 1980s, and was founded by eminent Burgundy producer, Domaine Drouhin. Robert Drouhin made the bold move to buy land at the top of the Dundee Hills. What was previously only Christmas trees and wheat, the Drouhin family began planting their first vineyards in Oregon. Robert’s daughter, Véronique, has served as DDO winemaker for many years, 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. A few weeks back I had another amazing visit to this historic site. They continue to produce some of the most consistently great wines in Oregon.
New releases are from the standout 2023 vintage. This was one that was consistently warm, with few excessively hot days. I am once again enamored by the 2023 Domaine Drouhin Oregon ‘Laurene’ Pinot Noir (OB, 96) which is a joy to consume now in its very primary youth. Learn more about this iconic Oregon winery at http://www.domainedrouhin.com/ Here are the awesome new releases from Domaine Drouhin Oregon.
2023 Domaine Drouhin ‘Arthur’ Chardonnay- Nearly all barrel fermented (20% new), the 2023 ‘Arthur’ offers honeysuckle and white peach on the nose alongside shades of pastry crust. The palate is round with a smooth texture and bright minerality. Drink 2025-2032- 92
2023 Domaine Drouhin ‘Edition Limitee’ Chardonnay- The 2023 Domaine Drouhin ‘Edition Limitee’ Chardonnay is a stunning wine that was stored in roughly 33% new French oak before bottling. Bright white florals mark the nose alongside pineapple and shades of backing spice laced brioche. The palate is super seamless with serious texture and a weightless mouthfeel. Glorious now, enjoy over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2025-2040- 97
2023 RoseRock Chardonnay- The 2023 RoseRock Chardonnay is soft and inviting on the mouth, loaded with bright orchard fruits and lemon rind alongside sourdough bread on the palate. Filled with tension, enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2025-2031- 92
2023 RoseRock ‘Maigold’ Chardonnay- The 2023 ‘Maigold’ is a rich and dense bottling that was stored in mainly netural French oak before bottlling. Mayer lemon zest alongside marzipan and toasted hazelnut combine with shades of white peach on the palate. This is dense and rich stuff that is already nicely defined. Drink 2025-2038- 95
2023 Domaine Drouhin ‘Dundee Hills’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Dundee Hills’ is entirely sourced from the estate vineyard. The wine was stored in roughly 25% new French oak and was not whole cluster fermented. Tart red fruits combine with shades of rocky soils and shades of bergamot on the nose. The palate has refined tannins with good flavor density. Drink 2025-2035- 93
2023 Domaine Drouhin ‘Origine 36’ Pinot Noir- This is now the third release of the ‘Origine 36’ which was originally a tribute to the 36th vintage at Domaine Drouhin Oregon. This is refined and juicy stuff offering bright strawberry and pomegranate seed alongside Mandarin orange rind on the palate. Chewy and dense with a great sense of texture, this is brimming with bright red fruits and drinking nicely now. Drink 2025-2040- 94
2023 Domaine Drouhin ‘Laurene’ Pinot Noir- A world-class bottling, the 2023 Domaine Drouhin ‘Laurene’ Pinot Noir is a block selection wine that was stored in mainly neutral oak before bottling. This wine was first crafted back in 1992. This is very seamless throughout the drinking experience. Blood orange zest combines with Bing cherry, black raspberry and stony essence. Complex and delicious, this has some seriously good aging potential. Drink 2025-2043- 96
2023 Domaine Drouhin ‘Edition Limitee’ Pinot Noir- The world-class 2023 Domaine Drouhin ‘Edition Limitee’ Pinot Noir is a heady and intense edition of this wine, The wine was stored in roughly 25% new French oak and given a small amount of whole cluster fermentation. White truffle shavings mingle well with Satsuma orange rind, red currants and tobacco leaf notes all combine on the nose. The palate is lush and soft with a refined mouthfeel and loads of salty nuance. Drink 2025-2045- 97
2023 RoseRock Pinot Noir- The 2023 RoseRock Pinot Noir offers red rose petals and potpourri on the nose alongside freshly tilled salty soils and orange rind. The palate is fresh and juicy, loaded with bright cherry, strawberry and guava fruits. Drink 2025-2033- 93
2023 RoseRock ‘Zephrine’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘Zephrine’ Pinot Noir was aged 15 months in mainly neutral French oak before bottlng. The palate is concentrated and intense with a voluptuous texture and great stony character. Driven by heady red fruits, this has plenty of lip-smacking acidity and great wet stone accents. Drink 2025-2040- 95
2023 Domaine Drouhin ‘Louise’ Pinot Noir- The stunning new 2023 ‘Louise’ Pinot Noir was given partial whole cluster fermentation and was stored in mainly natural oak before bottling. Beautiful red florals mark the nose alongside kumquat rind and crushed wet stone. The palate is dense and generous on the tongue with a sensational texture. This is just a baby and has decades of life in front of it. Drink 2025-2045- 97