Founded in 1962 by Philippe's father Henri and located down the street from the esteemed former Jackie Truchot estate, the domaine primarily focuses on a few choice plots in Gevrey-Chambertin, Chambolle-Musigny, and Morey-Saint-Denis, and as was was the case at Truchot, the Clos Sorbé is the domaine’s most recognized and collected wine. Jouan’s vines here are 80 years old,which is seen in the intense complexity of the fruit and very little is produced. The grand cru comes from the original section of Clos St. Denis where the vines are even more ancient at over 100 years old. Henri Joan and Jacky Truchot were lifelong friends that had both similar and different winemaking philosophies. While Truchot's wines were known for being especially light and delicate, Jouan's are still thoroughly red-fruited but with more weight and fruit density due to the very old vines. Philippe has kept the style of his father, and his wines are always the perfect combination of pretty and rustic, with a distinct but polished Old World character. Enjoyable now, they are built for the long haul and able to age gracefully for decades. The fruit is almost fully destemmed and each terroir is clearly defined, from the pretty and floral Chambolle to the savory Gevrey Aux Echezeaux and the graceful Clos Sorbes.
Jouan's portion of Aux Echezeaux is a small plot of 80 plus year old vines located directly next to the Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru. An incredible value for prestige terroir, this is the not-so-secret steal of the lineup.
16.5 out of 20 from Julia Harding of Jancis Robinson: "Mid smudgy crimson. As seductive as the Chambolle and a little darker in fruit profile, with a touch of peppery spice. Juicy and intense rather than rich. Elegant, refined, just-right tannin structure."
