2018 Chambertin Clos de Beze
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Tasting Notes
The 2018 Chambertin Clos-de-Bèze Grand Cru has a magnificent bouquet. Dark berry fruit, crushed roses, minerals and incense soar from the glass. Wonderful definition. The palate is medium-bodied with grainy tannins, dark berry fruit laced with white pepper and allspice, building in the mouth to a multi-dimensional finish that lingers tenderly. Outstanding. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2018 red tasting.
Critic Scores
Average Score
Neal Martin, Vinous
William Kelley, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2018 Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru was more extroverted during my visit to the Rousseau cellars this year, exhibiting a rich and complex bouquet of smoked meats, ripe cherries, cassis, woodsmoke, nori, blackberries and dark chocolate, framed by a lavish application of cedary new oak. It's full-bodied, fleshy and enveloping, with a ripe core of fruit, powdery tannins and a long, palate-staining finish. The Clos de Bèze is more immediate and dramatic than this year's Chambertin.
Cyrielle serves this wine last as it takes longer to eat its oak. A little bit of reduction related to the oak does indeed show. The barrel also expresses its tannins a little more forcefully at the finish. But these are details which will not affect the long term majesty of this wine which is showing an almost austere concentration of fruit. A marvellous wine but I do not think it will quite challenge the Chambertin.
About the producer
Based in Gevrey-Chambertin, Domaine Armand Rousseau is one of Burgundy’s most famous estates. Revered for making unearthly expressions of Pinot Noir, the estate’s wines are some of the most collectable in the world.