1988 Joseph Drouhin Aloxe-Corton

Maison Joseph Drouhin is one of Burgundy’s most venerable estates. It was founded in 1880 by Joseph Drouhin, who bought a 100-year old negociant business and began acquiring parcels in such legendary appellations as Clos des Mouches and Clos de Vougeot. By the mid-20th century the 148-acre estate was being run by Robert Drouhin, who continued to acquire vineyards and improve the quality of the wine. (Robert also purchased 100 acres in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, where his daughter makes Oregon Pinot Noirs under the Domaine Drouhin label.) The maison makes Grand Cru, Premier Cru and villages wines in Chablis, Cote de Nuits, Cote de Beaune, Cote Chalonnaise, Maconnais and Beaujolais. Noted Burgundy expert Clive Coates has called the maison “one of the most perfectionist” of the Burgundy producers, and Robert M. Parker Jr. notes that Drouhin’s wines “are among the very best of the modern style of red and white Burgundies.”

Aloxe-Corton is one of the most historic appellations in Burgundy. It includes the communes of Aloxe-Corton and Ladoix-Serrigny. The Romans settled in the area and made wine, and in the eighth century Emperor Charlemagne was so impressed with the wine from Aloxe-Corton that he bought land and founded an abbey. The famous Grand Cru Chardonnay Corton-Charlemagne was named for the emperor, who, according to legend, switched from drinking red wine to white because his wife disliked red wine stains on his white beard. The AOC Aloxe-Corton includes 13 Premier Crus and 220 acres of village vineyards. Nearly all of the wine produced is red, and the reds are known for spicy, earthy, tannic character. At the heart of the appellation is the Montagne de Corton, or Hill of Corton, which is home to the Grand Crus of the area. The Chardonnay vineyards are at the top of the hill, but further down the hill is planted to Pinot Noir. All 22 Grand Cru vineyards on Montagne Corton produce wines that include the name Corton. All are reds except for the legendary Chardonnay Corton-Charlemagne.

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.