Bouchard Pere & Fils, Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru

The 2019 Chambertin Clos de Bèze Grand Cru is destined to be much less controversial than its 2018 predecessor, as Bouchard was able to determine the date of harvest this year. Wafting from the glass with notes of cherries, woodsmoke, dried flowers, licorice and loamy soil, it’s full-bodied, bright and tightly wound, with real concentration and a long, precise finish.

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Deep, dark and smoky nose that’s still quite closed. Gigantic structure and fantastic cherry fruit on the rich and deeply harmonious palate. Still very youthful, but this gives you the full Gevrey Grand Cru experience, with all the earthy power, spicy complexity and a touch of bitter chocolate. Expansive and creamy finish with very impressive, plush tannins. This was made from bought-in grapes from an almost 1-hectare plot in this cult site. Drink or hold.

Opening in the glass with a rich bouquet of wild berries, cassis, orange rind, rich spices, loamy soil, black truffles and toasty new oak, the 2020 Chambertin Clos de Bèze Grand Cru is full-bodied, ample and seamless, with a rich, enveloping core of fruit, ripe tannins and lively acids. Concluding with a long, resonant finish, it’s a terrific wine in the making.

This round, supple red focuses on the fruit, with cherry and strawberry notes, plus floral and spice accents. Shows a solid base of tannins, which lend support and gain presence as this winds down on the finish. Tips toward the tannins, and is less forthcoming than many 2020s at this stage, with plenty of energy and fine potential. Best from 2027 through 2048. 40 cases imported.

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Expansive, but extremely fine nose with great fruit finesse and earthy complexity. This seems to effortlessly balance restrained power with pinot noir’s archetypal elegance, the finish echoing down the valleys and into the far distance. From bought-in grapes, but Bouchard’s chief winemaker, Frederic Weber, chooses the picking date.

The 2022 Chambertin Clos de Bèze Grand Cru is another valedictory cuvée for Bouchard, who has been producing this bottling, from a 0.47-hectare parcel just below the tree line, for many years. Wafting from the glass with aromas of cherries, dark berries, incense and spices, it’s full-bodied, rich and layered, with a broad attack that segues into a deep, enveloping palate, concluding with a long, expansive finish.

Strawberry, cherry, sandalwood, smoke and mineral aromas and flavors are the hallmarks of this tightly wound, youthful red. A solid line of tannins builds up to the long finish, and this will also need time to absorb the new oak. Shows fine balance and length. Best from 2029 through 2048. 54 cases imported.

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