Joseph Drouhin Chassagne Montrachet Premier Cru Embazees

Founded in 1880 by the then 22-year-old Joseph Drouhin, this famous Burgundy Negociant is still family owned. Of the current, fourth generation, Veronique Drouhin is the wine-maker, Laurent is the brand ambassador in the USA, Philippe is in charge of the vineyards, whilst Frederic conducts the orchestra".

Maison Joseph Drouhin owns extensive parcels throughout the region and in Chablis extending to 73 hectares, including the world-renowned Clos des Mouches, one of the earliest purchases made by joseph. From Montrachet Marquis de laguiche through Meursault to Corton Charlemagne in the Cote de Beaune, Echezaux to Clos de Vougeot in the Cote de Nuits, the domains produce a wide spectrum from Laforat Bourgogne Blanc and Rouge to grands Crus in Musigny and Chambertin. Drouhin's foremost concern is to express the exact character of each terroir.

Since 1993 they have worked their vineyards to organic and bio-dynamic principles, bringing natural answers to natural problems". Vine stocks are grown in their own nursery to preserve their genetic heritage and control quality, and vineyards are ploughed by horse with treatments based on herb infusions and the use of natural predators instead of synthetic products. Planting is dense and yields deliberately kept low. Vinification is traditional using indigenous yeasts and as little technical interference as possible, varied according to the needs of each terroir. Ageing takes account of the origin of each wine: stainless steel vats to enhance fruit and freshness in Chablis and Maconnais, oak barrels to develop complexity and finesse in Cote D'Or. New oak barrels are made from oak trees individually selected by Drouhin which are then weathered for three years so that all coarse tannins can be eliminated. Their use and the time the wine spends in them are determined by the appellation and the vintage.

The progress of every wine is meticulously monitored and recorded at every stage: Drouhin were one of the first houses in Burgundy to apply bar codes on the barrels to ensure total traceability and every cork is stamped Joseph Drouhin, the appellation and the vintage, in order to guarantee the authenticity of the wine.

Vineyards

Located in the South of the Côte de Beaune, Chassagne-Montrachet is one of the villages, together with Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet, making up the celebrated "Côte des blancs" (the slope of the "whites"). The vineyard stretches along the slope close to Santenay.

History & tradition: the word "Embazées" might come from "Ambassiacus", a gallo-roman estate still hosting the vestiges of a villa which was mentioned in some medieval texts.

Soil: complex soil, made up of marl, limestone, yellow or red clay, scree and gravel; these soils are mostly light.

Vinification

Pressing is very slow so as to respect fruit. Juices from the very last pressings are not retained.

No yeasts or enzymes are used. The wine goes directly into barrels after "debourbage" (decanting of white wine to reduce sediment).

Tasting Notes

The wine is bright with a light golden colour. Its aromas, reminiscent of hawthorn, acacia, honeysuckle, evolve toward hazelnut, and after a few years maturing, deliver some hints of honey and ripe pear. On the palate, this opulent wine offers long lasting flavours lingering a long time in the aftertaste.