ABOUT THE PRODUCER: Benôit represents the 14th generation of Droins, whose history as vignerons goes back to at least 1620. Over the years the Droins have built up excellent holdings of both premiers and grands crus, and are making them to a very high standard. Benôit's father Jean-Paul put the domaine on the map, but perhaps went too far down the road of new oak barrels. Benôit runs a more sophisticated operation from a large modern winery almost in the shadows of the grands crus. He has revised his pruning system and significantly reduced yields. The vineyards are now either ploughed or, if too vigorous, grassed between the rows. Benôit likes to pick relatively early, by machine. In the cellar the wines are fermented with natural yeasts in a mix of tank and barrel according to the cru. Thus Petit Chablis, Chablis, premier crus Vaucoupin and Côte de Léchet, and grand crus Blanchot are all fermented and matured in tank. Vaillons, Mont de Milieu and Montée de Tonnerre get 25 per cent barrel fermentation and maturation, 35 for Vosgros and Vaudésir, 40 for Montmains and Valmur, peaking at 50 per cent for Fourchaume, Grenouilles and Les Clos. However, the age of the oak and the choice of tonnelier may vary according to the cuvée. For new oak, the maximum is ten per cent in the grands crus. - Jasper Morris MW, Inside Burgundy