Haute couture expression of a stony terroir, the Beaune 1er Cru Les Cras 2019 from the house of Joseph Drouhin combines purity, tactile finesse and elegant length. On the heights northwest of Beaune, where the very name “Cras” evokes chalky soils and limestone scree, Pinot Noir expresses a distinctive relief. The luminous, concentrated 2019 vintage highlights the grace of ripe fruit without excess and the mineral imprint of an airy slope. The Drouhin style chisels the material with classic elegance, almost musical, where every detail serves the overall harmony. At the table, this cuvée brings measured intensity, mouthwatering freshness and a silky texture that elevates refined, seasonal cuisine. For discerning enthusiasts as well as curious drinkers seeking a characterful premier cru, Les Cras offers a nuanced sensory journey, ready to evolve gracefully over the years.

Blend and vinification

Made exclusively from Pinot Noir, this Beaune 1er Cru comes from a high slope oriented east to southeast, on stony clay-limestone soils that give a fresh, taut expression. The grapes are hand-harvested, with careful sorting at the winery entrance. The harvest is fully destemmed, then vinified in open vats for 2 to 3 weeks, with controlled punch-downs and pump-overs to gently extract colour, tannins and aromas. Fermentations rely on native yeasts, favouring the most honest reading of the vintage and the site. The ageing, 14 to 16 months in oak barrels with 20 to 25% new, refines the texture and adds complexity without ever overpowering. Certified organic, the wine is around 14% alcohol, perfectly integrated into the overall balance.

Tasting notes

• Colour : Deep ruby with garnet highlights, bright and dense, suggesting ripe, precise material. The clarity and brightness of the disk reveal promising vitality and a harmonious ageing potential.
• Nose : Pure, layered expression, first combining gunflint and graphite with a bouquet of red and black fruits such as cherry, blackcurrant and blackberry. With aeration, delicate vanilla emerges, then leather, truffle and fine spices, the signature of measured élevage and a pronounced limestone terroir.
• Palate : Direct and precise entry, mineral freshness that stretches the wine, fine, polished tannins, structured yet supple. The mid-palate unfolds a floral framework and a crunchy red cherry, before a long, mouthwatering finish marked by a chalky sensation and a subtle spicy return.

Service temperature and advice

Serve this Beaune 1er Cru at 16°C in large Burgundy glasses to encourage the bouquet to open. 30 to 45 minutes of aeration reveals the mineral depth and softens the tannic frame. Store bottles on their side, away from light, in a cool, humid cellar to preserve the fruit tension and the perfume’s grace. At maturity, tertiary complexity unfolds with notes of undergrowth and truffle. The cellaring potential extends over 12 to 15 years depending on storage conditions, with notable peak-drinking phases between 6 and 10 years.

Food pairings

• Appetizers : lightly smoked charcuterie, Comté gougères, warm mushroom tartlets to underline the mineral thread without overwhelming the palate.
• Starters : perfect egg with porcini, truffled poultry terrine, aged beef carpaccio, where the elegance of the fruit meets delicate sapidity.
• Main courses : sweetbreads sautéed in browned butter, roasted cut of beef, duck breast with a short black-berry jus, as well as Bresse poularde with morels.
• Cheeses : aged Comté, Brillat-Savarin with a creamy centre, Époisses served sparingly so as not to dominate the finish.
• Desserts : thin tart with lightly sweetened black fruits, 70% cocoa biscuit, a subtle pairing to extend the floral and spicy character.

Occasions

This premier cru is invited where the art of living demands precision and feeling.

• To enhance a gourmet dinner focused on precise cookery and delicate sauces.
• During a vertical tasting of Burgundies, to appreciate the mineral signature of Beaune Les Cras.
• As a gift for an enthusiast, promising elegant ageing and harmonious development.

Details

• Name : Joseph Drouhin, Beaune 1er Cru Les Cras 2019
• Appellation : Beaune 1er Cru AOC
• Type : Red wine
• Vintage : 2019
• Grape : Pinot Noir (100%)
• Alcohol : 14%
• Aging : 14 to 16 months in oak barrels, 20 to 25% new
• Bottle size : 75 cl
• Cellaring potential : 12 to 15 years
• Service temperature : 16°C