Domain Drouhin Lauren

No, but I did recently taste the 2001 ($55US). It was served in a flight alongside a couple of 2002 Jadot Burgundies Beaune Bressandes, Côte de Beaune (40US) & Gevrey-Chambertin, Estournelles Saint-Jacques, Côte de Nuits ($75US). I thought the Burgundies were overpriced for the quality (especially the Gevrey). There was also the 2003 Argyle, Willamette, OR ($20US) and 1999 Husch Knoll Vyd. ($31US) in the flight. Anyway, the Drouhin was the best of the American wines IMO, and perhaps a bit better than the Burgundies, but at $55 it was no bargain.

In the next flight was all California Pinot Noirs. These were from Gary Farrell, Williams Selyem, Domaine Carneros and Saintsbury. Collectively, they were a big step up from the first flight, as were the wines in the next flight (Sanford, Hartley-Ostini and Morgan).

All in all, I found the Drouhin to be a solid wine among the entire lot, but not worth the price. The best QPR (and my top wine of the night) was the 2002 Williams Selyem Russian River Valley for a mere $39US. Also excellent were the 2001 Saintsbury "Reserve" and the 2002 Sanford "La Rinconada" (both $50US).

Tom S