Domaine Drouhin "Laurene" Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2022

CRITICAL ACCLAIM:

“The medium ruby-colored 2022 Pinot Noir Laurene is more layered and complex, with a cologne consisting of cedar, leather, black cherries, wild raspberries, umami savory notes, and mossy earth. Medium-bodied, it has more structure and slightly broader shoulders, with ripe tannins and evenly balanced, ripe acidity. It’s only going to improve with time and will drink well over the next 20 years.” - 97 PTS, JEB DUNNUCK

“With a medium ruby-blue core and a lighter purple rim, the always tasty Laurène Pinot Noir from Domaine Drouhin is fantastic once again in 2022. Aromas of huckleberries and blueberries, dried herbs, powdered graphite, tangerine oil, and sweet clove jump from the glass. Tight, crunchy tannins and elevated acidity complete the wine. Going to be an fantastic wine in a few years. Buy now and cellar.” - 96 PTS, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, INTERNATIONAL WINE REVIEW

WINERY NOTES:

OVERVIEW: “Named after Véronique Boss-Drouhin's elder daughter, Laurène is our flagship wine and is produced entirely from Pinot Noir grown on the family's estate in the Dundee Hills. The fruit is handpicked into small totes, destemmed, fermented with indigenous yeasts, and then placed into French Oak barrels. Once the vintage is safely in the cellar, Véronique begins the process of selecting barrels which have an extra complexity, length, and depth - barrels which will work together as Laurène.”

VINTAGE: "The 2022 growing season began with great optimism. After a reasonable winter, bud break started in early April, right on schedule. Then, an unprecedented arctic air mass swept in, bringing snowfall, below-freezing temperatures, and the first-ever frost to impact our vineyards. Subsequent cool and damp conditions over the next few months caused sluggish vine growth, putting us 2-4 weeks behind by June. Mercifully, Mother Nature bestowed abundant sunshine and higher-than-average temperatures on us as harvest approached, resulting in a gentle conclusion to the season and excellent fruit ripeness. While the Pinot Noir crop volumes were lower than usual, the quality of the fruit was exceptional - a compromise that we gladly accept!

TASTING NOTES: “Expressive and refined, our 2022 Pinot Noir Laurène captures the exquisite essence of the Dundee Hills. Charismatic on the nose, it weaves together dried rose petals, elderberry, tart cherries, spiced vanilla, rhubarb, and wild herbs. The palate offers dark cherries, candied orange, clove, and a subtle hint of toasted oak in a richly complex and layered experience. The 2022 Laurène is young but serious. With its silky texture and elegant structure, this wine promises to mature gracefully over the next 10 15 years. Enjoy!”