Beaune - Clos des Mouches 2008 by Joseph Drouhin

comes from a parcel in the extreme south of the Beaune appellation area, adjoining Pommard. A gently sloping mid-slope plot, facing east/south-east. 14 hectares, the largest parcel of this cru, divided equally between red and white.

The name "Clos des Mouches" comes from the fact that this sunny vineyard was home to beehives, and the bees were once called "mouches à miel" (honey flies). It was one of the very first vineyards acquired by Maurice Drouhin (the son of the founder) in the 1920s. With great determination, he managed to buy 41 different parcels from 8 different owners.

The Clos des Mouches is planted with red and white grapes in equal proportions, and produces one of the legendary wines of the House.

The grapes are harvested by hand in small perforated crates in order to preserve the integrity of the fruit. The grapes are sorted in the vineyard and then in the winery if necessary.

2 to 3 weeks of maceration and vinification in total using indigenous yeasts.

Joseph Drouhin seeks total control of the extraction process, which gives colour and substance but must not be at the expense of finesse and typicity.

The wine is then aged for 14 to 18 months in oak barrels, of which only 20% are new.

The 2008 vintage has produced a wine with intense colours, they are clear, frank and of a beautiful ruby red.

They have a nice body, a frank and ample attack, a fine tannic structure.

The bottles come from the cellar of a large Parisian restaurant that was forced to close its doors. They had always been kept in their cellar with a high level of humidity, which ensured excellent conservation of the wine but damaged the labels.