WTN: Blinded by the Light

[Jenise]

A bunch of recent white wines, all served blind:

2011 Mistaken Identity 'Abbondante Bianco', Salt Spring Island, British Columbia
Fresh and bright, clean and crisp. An obviously unoaked and very pleasant blend of pinot grigio, madeleine angevine, sauvignon blanc, and sylvaner riesling that reminded me of a more concentrated, expert version of the light fresh whites of Hungary's Balaton. A perfect summer white, though not competitively priced at $20.

2007 Coste-Caumartin Pernand Verglesses, Burgundy
Fresh, bright, creamy, with fruit that was an attractive combination of blueberries and celery. Quite elegant with good concentration. Does not show it's age.

2011 Hamilton Russell chardonnay, South Africa
Light yellow, obviously chardonny, good concentration, slight petrol, oily, pineapple, Burgundian. We were all lovin' this one, a wine that everyone at the table knew from prior vintages, many of which were over-the-top ripe/oaked/sweet. Not this time: very very impressive, and all agreed that it was by far the most balanced and attractive HR any of us had ever had. I'm going to order some.

And with our first crab dinner on the patio last week:

2010 Drouhin Macon-Villages, Burgundy
Though not in the same class as the Hamilton Russell, this is one of the most balanced and elegant Drouhin Macons I can remember and for $12 in my marketplace, the best buy in chardonnay currently available. We compared it to the 2010 Jadot Macon-Villages which was sweeter and more extracted with simple lemon-lime flavors. The one guy at the table who likes big alcohol California zins preferred this, but all the rest of the votes went with the classy Drouhin. I liked the Drouhin so much I bought half a case yesterday.

And while I'm at it:

2006 Woodward Canyon Chardonnay, Washington
Thick and butterscotchy, in need of more acidity. Not oxidized yet but totally heading in that direction, a disappointment.

1996 Joseph Swan Wolfespierre Vineyard Chardonnay, California
A cellar treasure opened for visiting wine friends who would at least appreciate who and what this wine is. No oxidation whatsoever, rather lemon oil with gardenia notes and a bit of Pledge. Exceptional for 16 years of age.

The Drouhin is $10.99 locally, and with the $15 off/$50 spent coupon, that brings the price down to $7.99/bottle. I have a soft spot for these Drouhin wines. They don't have the cachet of Dujac or Bouchard, e.g., but I dig them.

[Jenise]

The Drouhin is $10.99 locally, and with the $15 off/$50 spent coupon, that brings the price down to $7.99/bottle. I have a soft spot for these Drouhin wines. They don't have the cachet of Dujac or Bouchard, e.g., but I dig them.

Killer price, Jimbo. I paid $10.80 after the 10% discount for over-four bottles kicked in, so great price all in all. Up here I don't have many alternatives in that price range, but certainly none available right now are as elegant as the Drouhin.

I have a soft spot for these Drouhin wines. They don't have the cachet of Dujac or Bouchard, e.g., but I dig them.

Dujac is a difference story, but if you're comparing negociants it seems to me that Drouhin has plenty of cachet along with Bouchard. Drouhin's higher-end wines are probably more expensive than Bouchard, no?

I have a soft spot for these Drouhin wines. They don't have the cachet of Dujac or Bouchard, e.g., but I dig them.

Dujac is a difference story, but if you're comparing negociants it seems to me that Drouhin has plenty of cachet along with Bouchard. Drouhin's higher-end wines are probably more expensive than Bouchard, no?

We've had this discussion here before, but among the Burgundy negoce houses, Drouhin tops my list both for its "house style" and the quality of its estate holdings, with Jadot running a strong second. I haven't had any of Dujac's negoce offerings, but Dom. Dujac is an apples and oranges comparison.

Mark Lipton

I have a soft spot for these Drouhin wines. They don't have the cachet of Dujac or Bouchard, e.g., but I dig them.

Dujac is a difference story, but if you're comparing negociants it seems to me that Drouhin has plenty of cachet along with Bouchard. Drouhin's higher-end wines are probably more expensive than Bouchard, no?

Among my Burgundy obsessed friends, none has ever opened a Drouhin in polite company. Maybe it's a west coast thing. I'm going to ask them about this (I'm not part of the burgundy clique, but I get to share in the benefits).

Among my Burgundy obsessed friends, none has ever opened a Drouhin in polite company. Maybe it's a west coast thing..

It could also be a stylistic thing. Following off of Mark's comments and to grossly oversimplify, Drouhin is known for more elegance whereas Bouchard and Dujac emphasize more weight and power. While of course it's possible to like many styles of Burgundy, often people will fall into one camp or the other. So among many Burgundy obsessed folks that I know, you won't find them opening Bouchard or Dujac in polite company.

Among my Burgundy obsessed friends, none has ever opened a Drouhin in polite company. Maybe it's a west coast thing..

It could also be a stylistic thing. Following off of Mark's comments and to grossly oversimplify, Drouhin is known for more elegance whereas Bouchard and Dujac emphasize more weight and power. While of course it's possible to like many styles of Burgundy, often people will fall into one camp or the other. So among many Burgundy obsessed folks that I know, you won't find them opening Bouchard or Dujac in polite company.

Your last line had me chuckling out loud. I'm going to quote you to my BOFs. Maybe they like the 'bigger' style having been weaned on CA Syrah.

I loved the Swan Wolfspierre Chards.

I really enjoy the lower end Drouhin and Jadot white burgs..That being said, am gonna see if I can get to taste some Swan chards when I am in Santa Rosa/Healdsburg area in October

Call or email ahead, and I'm pretty sure you can be accommodated.

John

Thaks, John..will be there in 2 months, no clue what our schedule looks like but will try and get together with you

I expect to be here!

Having seen Jenise's note on the Drouhin Macon-Villages, I saw a bottle on the shelves of a local shop and recalled her positive review. When I got home, I realized the one I bought was the 2011, not the 2010 which she praised. I'm glad to report that the 2011 is a rather nice wine too, a bit short, but elegant, with a slight astringent streak (which I like). Certainly worth the $11.99 tariff.

Hamilton Russell has finally shown up here, but prices way too high in my opinion.

[Jenise]

but elegant, with a slight astringent streak (which I like). Certainly worth the $11.99 tariff.

Me too. Good to know, thanks.

I find the Drouhin M-V a good buy every year, though I personally am drawn more towards the Drouhin St. Veran.

Among the Burg lovers I know, most range from liking to being enamored with Drouhin. Certainly wines like the Griottes, Beze, Beaune Mouches, Musigny rank up there among my best red Burgundy experiences ever. And for that matter some Mouches blanc and Lauguiche Montys would be among by greatest ever whites. Unlike Rahsaan, don't know many Dujac haters, despite the wood sig.