Gevrey-Chambertin, Dix Climats, Drouhin-Laroze 2022

Their pride and joy is a wonderfully large 1.5 ha holding of Clos de Bèze which was reputedly bought by granny Drouhin on a whim whilst out walking the dog! These days a huge dog called Higgins often provides a welcome before the descent into one cavernous cellar then down into another. These cellars were the work of Prussian soldiers in 1815, after the Battle of Waterloo, and are rare in being of exactly the same dimensions. The domaine was established in Gevrey-Chambertin in 1850 when Jean-Baptiste Laroze started a vineyard operation. His granddaughter Suzanne Laroze married Alexandre Drouhin in 1919, and henceforth the estate was known as known as Drouhin-Laroze. It is now run by Philippe and Christine Drouhin, and more and more by their offspring, Caroline and Nicolas, who represent the sixth generation. They employ a rigorous selection of grapes during several pickings in the vineyard and on the sorting table, making as a result many very noteworthy wines. The range includes an enviable six grand crus and four premier crus, mostly in Gevrey-Chambertin, but in Chambolle too where they have a slither of Musigny and a chunkier 1.5 ha of Bonnes-Mares. Their small négoce business is called Laroze de Drouhin.