Joseph Drouhin - Chambertin Clos De Beze 1996

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Chambertin-Clos de Bèze is an Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) and Grand Cru vineyard for red wine in the Côte de Nuits subregion of Burgundy, with Pinot noir as the main grape variety. Chambertin-Clos de Bèze is located within the commune of Gevrey-Chambertin, together with a group of nine Grand Cru vineyards all having "Chambertin" as part of their name. It is located uphill from (to the west of) the Route des Grands Crus, borders on Chambertin in the north, Griotte-Chambertin and Chapelle-Chambertin in the east (across the road) and Mazis-Chambertin in the north. The AOC was created in 1937.

Under AOC regulations some wine from Chambertin-Clos de Bèze may be labeled as just Chambertin. Since Chambertin-Clos de Bèze has a good reputation on its own, this is not widely practiced.

Joseph Drouhin Description

Since 1880, Maison Joseph Drouhin has built a reputation for wines that reflect their individual terroir and vintage. A balance of tradition and modern techniques characterizes Joseph Drouhin winemaking and vineyard management: on site nursery, plowing, leaf removal, 100% hand harvesting, open fermenters, fermenting and aging in oak. With its historic location deep in the heart of Beaune, the quality of its vineyards and the expertise resulting from years of experience in the cultivation of vines and traditional vinification, Maison Joseph Drouhin is uniquely placed to uphold authentic Burgundian style. Estate-grown Grapes of 2009 Vintage and later Now Officially Organic.

A View from the Cellar: 94 Points

I had purchased only a single bottle of the 1996 Joseph Drouhin Clos de Bèze back when the wine was released- why I have no idea- and after opening it for this article, I dearly wish I had bought a box! The wine showed brilliantly in DC, offering up a young and classic bouquet of red and black cherries, a touch of lavender, grilled meat, black minerality, dusty herbs, cedar and a floral topnote redolent of orchids. On the palate the wine is deep, fullish, pure and intensely flavored, with a lovely core of fruit, modest tannins, perfectly-integrated acids and superb length and grip on the tangy and nearly ready finish. A beautiful bottle of Clos de Bèze. (Drink between 2014-2040)