Domaine Drouhin Oregon is the New World outpost of the famed Maison Joseph Drouhin of Burgundy, France. Drawn by the parallels between Burgundy and Oregon’s Willamette Valley, Véronique Drouhin and her family purchased land atop the Dundee Hills in 1987, recognizing the potential for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. This pioneering move brought Old World expertise to a young wine region, blending Burgundian finesse with Oregon’s terroir. The result has been elegant, age-worthy wines that honour both tradition and place.
I have a bottle of the Domaine Drouhin Arthur Dundee Hills Chardonnay 2023 to review for you today. 135 acres of their vineyard are under vine and are certified sustainable by L.I.V.E. As it is from Oregon, at the moment, the wine is not available for purchase. Hopefully, the tariff wars will end soon, and we will be able to enjoy wines from our blue state west coast neighbour. Arthur refers to Véronique Drouhin’s son.
Domaine Drouhin Arthur Dundee Hills Chardonnay 2023 (BC $55.99)
Winemaker’s notes, “The 2023 Chardonnay Arthur was and-picked into small totes and whole-cluster pressed. The wine was fermented primarily in French Oak barrels (80%) to enhance complexity, and 20% in stainless steel preserves its vibrant, fruit-forward nature. As the vines near 30 years old, we find they benefit from more barrel aging, and Véronique blended the two portions to craft a Chardonnay of delicate balance and finesse.”
The growing season, “In 2023, budbreak was unusually late, starting on April 30. Next came an unexpected heat surge and minimal rainfall, a lasting pattern which compressed the period from budbreak to bloom to less than 45 days (a record)! Our vineyards adapted well to these surprises, and when harvest started on September, the fruit looked great. Towards the end of the month, we saw some significant rains. The overall harvest concluded on October 5.”
Appearance: a bright, clear, medium-plus intensity lemon colour.
Nose: Medium intensity, rich aromas of tropical fruits, vanilla and light butterscotch. No change to the aromas after decanting.
Palate: This wine is dry, medium body, silky smooth with a round, thicker mouthfeel once you give it some swirl time in your glass. Medium acidity. Ripe pineapple, a touch of sweet spices then butterscotch, oak and light pepperiness toward the finish. The wine has a leaner, lighter mouthfeel and medium-minus body after decanting. It also becomes quite peppery. Fruit and sweet spice flavours stay the same.
Finish: A medium-plus to long length, finishing with lingering ripe tropical fruit favours, light oak, sweet spices, butterscotch and pepperiness. The wine has a medium length after decanting and you get some bitterness and increased pepperiness. The fruit and sweet spice flavours stay the same.
This wine shows it’s quality and harmony of flavours and acidity upon first opening. The wine becomes leaner and more peppery after decanting. I prefer the undecanted version of this wine.
Rating: 
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without decanting. The Domaine Drouhin Arthur Dundee Hills Chardonnay 2023 offers a rich bouquet of tropical fruits, vanilla, and light butterscotch, with a silky, round mouthfeel and medium acidity. On the palate, ripe pineapple and sweet spices transition into oak and pepperiness toward the finish. Decanting lightens the body and enhances the peppery notes, though the core fruit and spice profile remains intact.
Where Can I Buy This Wine?
At the moment, with the tariffs on between Canada and the USA, this wine, and all American wine, is off of our shelves. Once the tariffs are off, this wine will be available at BC Liquor stores.
