2017 Joseph Drouhin, Chassagne-Montrachet, Blanc

The 2017 Chassagne-Montrachet Village is initially closed on the nose but develops nicely in the glass, displaying impressive mineralité and terroir expression for a Village Cru. The cohesive palate is well balanced, with a fine line of acidity and a brisk, saline, marine-influenced finish that is top-drawer. Try to grab a couple of cases of this.

Hazy green-tinged yellow color, as this wine appears to be just finishing its malolactic fermentation. Lively aromas of lemon, lime, anise and white flowers. A silky, nicely delineated midweight, offering an attractive balance of richness, ripe acidity and underlying minerality. Still a touch of green apple bitterness on the persistent, slightly phenolic finish but looks promising. The floral character carries through to the end.

Already bottled, the 2017 Chassagne-Montrachet Village displays attractive notes of honeyed pear, tangerine and white flowers. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, satiny and fleshy, with an elegantly textural attack, a pure core of fruit and a nicely defined, stony finish. This is a charmingly open but nicely succulent Chassagne that should drink well for a decade.