Maison Joseph Drouhin   Musigny

2011 Musigny

By Maison Joseph Drouhin

2011 Musigny from Maison Joseph Drouhin, Burgundy, France

Elegant and profound, the 2011 Musigny from Maison Joseph Drouhin is a testament to the meticulous winemaking that Burgundy is renowned for. This particular vintage reflects an alliance of climatic challenges and viticultural prowess—a narrative of a season where patience and precision delivered dividends in the glass.

 

A Vintage of Patience: Climatic Nuances Enthroned

The growing season of 2011 brought forward a mix of capricious weather starting with a warm spring, advancing a rapid bud break followed by a cooler-than-average summer. Yet, the ancestral vines of Musigny, rooted deeply in their cherished terroir, held secrets that would only unravel through Maison Joseph Drouhin’s deft touch.

What distinguishes the 2011 vintage is its classical structure intertwined with youthful vigour—an unexpected encounter given the year's whims. On the palate, the wine expresses layers of red and black fruits draped over a frame of finely stitched tannins; cherries, ripe strawberries, a hint of forest floor complexity with an undercurrent of spice characteristic of an ageing potential not easily rivalled.

 

Fruit Integrity and Investment Calibre

Maison Joseph Drouhin’s commitment to organic and biodynamic practices shines through in the integrity of the fruit showcased by this vintage. The 2011 Musigny stands out as a paragon for connoisseurs and investors alike, exhibiting a resilience that beckons appreciation over time. Its elegant poise and length on the finish are hallmarks of not just Musigny from Maison Joseph Drouhin, but also a harbinger of its continued grace as an investable asset.

Fortifying its stature further is the minuscule yield of Musigny that inherently makes it one of the crown jewels of Burgundy each year. Accordingly, this translates to exclusivity and buoyancy in investment circles due to its limited availability—the 2011 Musigny from Maison Joseph Drouhin upholds this axiom with unwavering certainty.

In summary, the delectable balance and harmonic integration experienced with 2011 Musigny from Maison Joseph Drouhin is an example par excellence. It nestles comfortably in portfolios catering to both discerning palates and astute investment strategies—a beacon that presents both opulence in taste and perspective in the future worth.

Current market price

$13,630.00

12x75cl

Highest score

93

POP score

630

Scores and tasting notes

93

The 2011 Musigny Grand Cru has a broody, introspective nose that demands patient coaxing from the glass, reluctantly offering black rather than red fruit, undergrowth, orange blossom and a touch of wild mint. The palate is medium-bodied with a mellow, supple, approachable entry. The acidity is well-judged, soft and caressing in the mouth with a gentle crescendo toward the spice-tinged finish. Nice long aftertaste. This is a very fine Musigny. Drink 2016-2028+. It is always a pleasure to meet Veronique Drouhin, although this was actually the first time that I had visited their winery on the southern fringe of Beaune. “All the estate has been under biodynamic practices since the mid-1990s (including Chablis) and organic since 1988,” she said to me as we commenced the tasting. “We have been ECOCERT certified since 2009.” I asked her what tangible difference biodynamics have made. “The estate wines have a lot of depth and energy but what is really better is the pH,” she said. She also cited the arrival of head winemaker Jerome Faure-Brac in 2005 as another reason for the improvement in quality. Now their approach is for no compromise on the fruit and to exact precise viticulture for each vineyard. Veronique told me that their entry level Laforet aims to encapsulate the whole picture of Bourgogne. “We know the wine is consumed young so it is not heavily extracted,” she told me. “We look for a lovely fruity, round, elegant Bourgogne. You know, it is easier to make an Amoureuses than a Burgundy Rouge because of the quantity. It is aged in older barrels and it is bottled sooner than in the past.” Importer: Dreyfus Ashby & Co., New York, NY; tel. (212) 818-0770

Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 28 August 2013

Vintage performance