2016 Gevrey Chambertin Bel Air
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
The 2016 Gevrey-Chambertin Bel Air 1er Cru is not as delineated on the nose as I would like, although it does improve and develop clarity with aeration. There is a Central Otago like allure here. The palate is medium-bodied with chewy tannins. There is good weight, a sense of heft behind this Gevrey, although the finish lacks a little clarity. Time should serve it well. Tasted blind at the 2016 Burgfest tasting. (DIAM 30 closure)
Critic scores
Average Score
Neal Martin
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Healthy dark red. A bit less black and more floral than the La Riotte, offering aromas of strawberry, raspberry and minerals plus a whiff of game. Silky on entry, then concentrated, supple and juicy, showing lovely violet and chalky mineral lift to the black cherry fruit. The crop level was down 60% due to the frost but there's nothing clenched about this wine today. Finishes with ripe, fine-grained tannins and excellent spicy length. This vineyard just below the forest has benefited from global warming, noted Taupenot.
The 2016 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Bel Air was affected by the frost, around 50% to 60% lost this vintage (equating to four barrels). It has quite a rich and expressive bouquet with touches of damson and sloes infusing the bright red berry fruit—vivacious and generous. The palate is sweet and fleshy on the entry, vibrant red fruit with fine tension and structure towards the finish. It does not possess the length of the best wines from Taupenot-Merme but it certainly has plenty of class and sappiness.