Joseph Drouhin Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Mouches 2017 (750ML)

95 JM / 94 WS / 94 JS / 94 DE / 93 WA / 92 BH / 90-92 VM

A fullish clear yellow. The nose is exquisite and approachable but it seems to have become even richer since bottling, while holding its balance without any difficulty. Clos des Mouches always offers a dense texture, on this occasion with a lemon curd note, balanced by a thread of lime to keep it all fresh. Really beautiful! Tasted: December 2021.--Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy

A rich red, with a velvety texture showing off floral, cherry, strawberry, licorice and mineral flavors. Beautifully balanced and firmly structured, this lingers with fresh cherry, iron and spice notes. Best from 2022 through 2035. 300 cases imported.--Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator

Lots of grilled meat, smoke and ripe fruit. Rich and decadent. Medium to full body, round and juicy tannins and a flavorful finish. Layered and juicy for the Clos des Mouches. Better after 2022.--James Suckling

Is Clos des Mouches better suited to red or white grapes? The answer is both in a vintage like 2017. This was picked in five stages to maximise balance and complexity and made with 25% stems and 30% new wood. It's not a blockbuster wine, prefering to charm rather than overwhelm the palate with elegance, refined tannins and spicy, wild strawberry and red cherry flavours. - Tim Atkin MW, Decanter

The 2017 Beaune 1er Cru Clos des Mouches is showing beautifully from bottle, wafting from the glass with an inviting bouquet of ripe red berries, orange rind, warm spices and subtle hints of coniferous forest floor. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, velvety and beautifully harmonious, with the same suave structuring tannins that I identified from barrel, succulent acids and a long, fragrant finish. This is a Clos des Mouches that positively caresses the palate, and it will offer a broad drinking window.

Tasting note: A discreet application of wood sets off the ripe and very fresh aromas of plum, various red berries and a pretty floral element. The opulent and highly seductive medium weight flavors are shaped by firm but not rigid tannins on the balanced finish. This should age gracefully and yet be approachable after only 5ish years. Sweet Spot.--Allen Meadows, Burghound

The 2017 Beaune Clos des Rouches Rouge 1er Cru, picked September 4–7, contains a little more whole cluster fruit this year – around 30%, according to Véronique Drouhin. Sensual, ripe red cherry, cranberry and subtle bergamot tea aromas gently unfold in the glass. The palate is well balanced with supple tannin, good substance, veins of white pepper and even a very slight flintiness toward a finish that lingers in the mouth. This shows very good potential, although it will benefit from three or four years in bottle. - Neal Martin, Vinous Media