PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Les Petits Monts is one of Vosne-Romanée’s most prized Premier Crus, on a small promontory above the Romanée-Conti vineyard itself. The name says it all, and the local saying has it that “at the Petits Monts, the whole world is at your feet.” The soil is clay and limestone, very rocky, and the vineyard sits in the heart of the village that produces Burgundy’s most expensive wines. Véronique Drouhin owns the vineyard, and Joseph Drouhin, one of Burgundy’s giants since 1880, farms it organically and biodynamically.
The 2022 was a vintage of ripe, bright, intense reds. The Petits Monts was picked in a single day, on September 2, with 35 to 40% whole clusters, a proportion Véronique believes “adds dramatically to the complexity with ageing.” The house’s tasting note: “A wine of great elegance! Intense deep ruby colour. Characteristic aromas of wild cherry combining with fine spice and a subtle note of musk. On the palate, the first impression is of silk. Refined tannins of great breed; lively notes. Lingering aftertaste with a myriad of sensations.” The house suggests drinking it between 10 and 20 years of age, with potential for 25.
Critics rated it highly. James Suckling scored it 96. Vinous’s Neal Martin scored it 94 to 96 from barrel: “This has a beguiling bouquet, the 35% whole clusters assiduously used, hints of white pepper and clove infusing the red berry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy, mainly black fruit, quite peppery in style, though it does not impede the terroir expression. There is very fine precision on the finish with impressive length; this is an excellent Petit-Monts.” Jasper Morris scored it 94 to 97 (barrel, November 2023): “A denser mid crimson purple. 40% whole bunch which she thinks adds dramatically to the complexity with ageing. Superb all the way across the palate, every little part of the wine is in balance, just the right acidity, very persistent.” Burghound scored it 92 to 95: “This is also exuberantly spicy and quite floral as well with its blend of exotic tea, red and dark raspberry, soy and sandalwood scents. The sleek, delicious and solidly concentrated medium-bodied flavors possess both a taut muscularity and evident minerality while culminating in a powerful and strikingly long finish. This beautifully balanced effort is a Petits Monts of grace and class.” William Kelley of the Wine Advocate scored it 92 to 94: “exhibiting aromas of sweet red berries and plums mingled with exotic spices and rose petals. Medium to full-bodied, ample and layered, with good depth at the core.” Jancis Robinson gave it 17.5/20. A retailer’s description adds “dominant aromas of morello cherry, mingled with notes of ripe black and red fruits,” and “an exceptionally silky attack,” with “a remarkably long finish marked by persistent fruity and mineral sensations.”
It’s a Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru with serious pedigree, from a top house, at a fraction of the price of a Grand Cru from the same hillside. It’s best cellared for at least five to ten years, or decanted for an hour or two if opened young. Serve at about 61-62°F, with duck, squab, veal, truffle dishes, and soft cheeses.
Joseph Drouhin 2022 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Petits Monts is produced by Maison Joseph Drouhin in Beaune, Burgundy, France, from 100% Pinot Noir grown in Les Petits Monts (Vosne-Romanée, Côte de Nuits; owned by Véronique Drouhin; clay and limestone, very rocky), picked in a single day on September 2, 2022, with 35–40% whole clusters. 750ml.
Several scores below are barrel-sample ranges from early reviews.
James Suckling — 96 Points
Neal Martin, Vinous — 94–96 Points (barrel sample):
“The 2022 Vosne-Romanée Les Petits Monts 1er Cru, which had recently been racked from tank into barrel, was picked in a single day on September 2. This has a beguiling bouquet, the 35% whole clusters assiduously used, hints of white pepper and clove infusing the red berry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy, mainly black fruit, quite peppery in style, though it does not impede the terroir expression. There is very fine precision on the finish with impressive length; this is an excellent Petit-Monts.”
Jasper Morris MW, Inside Burgundy — 94–97 Points (barrel sample, November 2023):
“A denser mid crimson purple. 40% whole bunch which she thinks adds dramatically to the complexity with ageing. Superb all the way across the palate, every little part of the wine is in balance, just the right acidity, very persistent.”
Burghound — 92–95 Points:
“This is also exuberantly spicy and quite floral as well with its blend of exotic tea, red and dark raspberry, soy and sandalwood scents. The sleek, delicious and solidly concentrated medium-bodied flavors possess both a taut muscularity and evident minerality while culminating in a powerful and strikingly long finish. This beautifully balanced effort is a Petits Monts of grace and class.”
William Kelley, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate — 92–94 Points:
“The 2022 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Petits Monts has also turned out nicely, exhibiting aromas of sweet red berries and plums mingled with exotic spices and rose petals. Medium to full-bodied, ample and layered, with good depth at the core...”
Jancis Robinson — 17.5/20
Joseph Drouhin (tasting note by Véronique Boss-Drouhin):
“A wine of great elegance! Intense deep ruby colour. Characteristic aromas of wild cherry combining with fine spice and a subtle note of musk. On the palate, the first impression is of silk. Refined tannins of great breed; lively notes. Lingering aftertaste with a myriad of sensations.”
Nose
Deep ruby. Morello cherry, wild cherry, and red berries, with plum, rose petals, exotic tea, sandalwood, white pepper, clove, and a subtle note of musk.
Palate
Silky and medium-bodied, with sappy red and black fruit, taut muscularity, evident minerality, and refined, long tannin.
Finish
Powerful and strikingly long, with fruity and mineral sensations.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Appellation | Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru “Les Petits Monts,” Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, France |
| Variety | 100% Pinot Noir |
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Producer | Joseph Drouhin (Beaune) |
| Vineyard | Les Petits Monts — promontory above Romanée-Conti; clay and limestone, very rocky; owned by Véronique Drouhin |
| Winemaking | Picked in one day (September 2); 35–40% whole cluster |
| Critics | James Suckling 96 · Vinous 94–96 · Jasper Morris 94–97 · Burghound 92–95 · Wine Advocate 92–94 · Jancis Robinson 17.5 |
| Cellaring | Optimal 10–20 years; potential 25 years |
| Serving Temperature | 61–62°F |
| Style / Identity | A silky, spicy, mineral Vosne Premier Cru from one of Burgundy’s most famous hillsides |
| Aromas & Flavors | Morello cherry, red berries, plum, rose petal, exotic spice, sandalwood |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
Decant for an hour or two if opened young; serve at about 61-62°F.
Bottle Size: All bottles are 750ML/700ML unless otherwise noted.
21 and Over: Adult Signature Required
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