2022 Joseph Drouhin Cote de Beaune Rouge, Burgundy

Plenty of strawberries, crushed stones and white pepper here. It's medium-bodied with juicy fruit and a savory, strawberry character at the end, together with a hint of cloves. Lightly firm tannins. Drinkable now, but better in a year or two.

92 points jamessuckling.com

Joseph Drouhin Côte de Beaune Rouge is a beautifully classic expression of Pinot Noir from the heart of Burgundy, where limestone rich soils and a cool continental climate give the grape its perfume, freshness and silky tannin structure. The Côte de Beaune stretches from Ladoix down to Maranges, and this wine draws on selected vineyards across the appellation, capturing both elegance and depth.

Joseph Drouhin is one of Burgundy’s great family houses, founded in 1880 and still guided by a philosophy of purity, balance and respect for terroir. The vineyards are farmed with a strong focus on sustainability and organic principles, and the winemaking is deliberately gentle, allowing the fruit and site to shine rather than oak or extraction.

In the glass, the wine shows red cherry, wild strawberry and raspberry, lifted by rose petal, subtle spice and a hint of forest floor. The palate is finely structured and silky, with bright acidity and soft, persistent tannins giving it both charm and quiet seriousness. It is elegant and very Burgundian in feel.

This is a wonderful wine for the table. Roast chicken, duck, pork, mushroom dishes or classic French bistro fare all pair beautifully with its savoury red fruit and freshness.

Joseph Drouhin Côte de Beaune Rouge is delicious young for its vibrancy and perfume, but it will also develop over five to eight years, gaining more earthy and savoury complexity. It is a refined, authentic Burgundy that offers real insight into the charm of Pinot Noir from this famous region.