Joseph Drouhin
'Drouhin-Vaudon' Vaudesir Grand Cru
Chablis
2022

The producer

Joseph Drouhin is one of Burgundy’s most respected family domaines, with origins dating back to 1880. Over generations, the Drouhin family has built a reputation for precision, elegance, and a deep respect for terroir. Their presence in Chablis reflects this philosophy, with vineyards and long-standing grower partnerships spread across the region’s iconic slopes.

In Chablis, known for its Kimmeridgian limestone soils and cool northern climate, Joseph Drouhin produces wines that beautifully express the purity and tension of the appellation. Crafted exclusively from Chardonnay, their Chablis wines are noted for their bright acidity, fine mineral edge, and aromatic profile of citrus, green apple, and white blossoms. The hallmark of Drouhin’s style in Chablis is finesse—clean, precise, and deeply linked to the character of the vineyard.

The domaine’s commitment to organic and biodynamic principles further enhances the transparency of their wines, allowing each cuvée to reflect the subtle differences of site and vintage. Joseph Drouhin’s Chablis stands as a benchmark for classic expression: refined, vibrant, and unmistakably shaped by the region’s exceptional terroir.

The wine

Joseph Drouhin’s ‘Drouhin-Vaudon’ Vaudésir Grand Cru is an exceptional expression of Chablis’ most revered terroir. Sourced from the prestigious Vaudésir climat situated within the historic amphitheatre of Chablis’ Grand Cru hillside this wine reflects the region’s famous Kimmeridgian limestone soils, which impart extraordinary tension, purity, and minerality. The vineyards, farmed under Joseph Drouhin’s exacting organic and biodynamic principles, produce Chardonnay of remarkable finesse and concentration.

Vinification follows a philosophy of restraint and precision: gentle pressing, fermentation in a combination of stainless steel and neutral oak, and extended maturation on fine lees to enhance texture without overshadowing the wine’s natural clarity. The resulting Vaudésir Grand Cru reveals delicate aromas of white flowers, citrus zest, and crushed oyster shell, with hints of stone fruit emerging as it opens. On the palate, it is refined and crystalline, balancing vibrant acidity with a silken mouthfeel and a powerful, saline-driven finish that speaks to its Grand Cru pedigree.

Renowned for its exceptional aging potential, this Vaudésir develops layers of complexity over time deepening in honeyed, mineral, and softly spiced nuances. It pairs beautifully with shellfish, fine seafood, delicate white meats, and dishes that highlight subtle richness and purity.

We choose our wines based on a range of criteria (see how we choose our wines) of which critic scores is just one. Rather than simply highlight the best score to promote a wine, our average critic score is calculated from the scores provided by several respected wine critics, who we follow for specific regions. They do not represent all critic scores and, wherever possible, we try and give more weight to more recent reviews. Where appropriate we consider market-based scores like Global Wine Score or Wine Searcher Average scores.

As a rule, we look to offer wines that achieve a 92/100 average critic score or better and frankly a lot of very good wines simply don’t make the cut. As a high-end provider we want to reflect that positioning in the quality of wines we offer. Such wines are only a tiny fraction of those generally on offer in the market. We believe that an average score is a more conservative and representative approach, but it is still subjective and only offered as a guide to our customers, who will (and should) do their own research. We will add individual critic scores to our website in the future.