Clos de Beze is usually prohibitively expensive. Its small production and exalted status make it one of the holy grails of the Cotes de Nuit. As Burgundy drinkers know, good producers can often make excellent wine in even the most difficult of vintages, and Drouhin-Laroze seems to have triumphed here. I personally enjoyed a number of 2013's. For me, they seem to be very traditional wines, and are perhaps a little more old school in their fruit quality and attention to terroir.
2013 Drouhin-Laroze
Chambertin Clos de Beze
93-95 BH / 92-94 WA / 93 WS
$175.89/bottle (ETA 2 Weeks) Buy Now
Note: from a parcel of 1.5 ha of vines planted in 1949
Tasting note: A ripe but brooding nose features aromas of spiced black raspberry, red currant and floral notes. The powerful, concentrated and distinctly earthy broad-shouldered flavors possess plenty of muscle as the dense and firm mouth coating tannins will require at least 15 years to resolve. I very much like this very rich effort as it's a Bèze of imposing size and weight along with explosive length yet it retains a fine sense of harmony and balance. Once again, note well though that patience is necessary. Donât Miss â Allen Meadows - Burghound
The 2013 Chambertin Clos-de-Bèze Grand Cru has a backward nose at first, opening reluctantly with pure dark plum, briary and mineral notes, but keeping everything in fourth, rather than fifth gear. The palate is well integrated with the oak, touches of brown sugar tincturing the red cherry and raspberry fruit and leading to a nicely poised finish. This is one of the best Grand Crus from the domaine this year. Neal Martin â The Wine Advocate
This is intense, packed with cherry, berry, spice and mineral flavors and backed by a well-integrated structure. The tannins are dense and assertive, with brisk acidity playing in tandem. Finishes with mouthwatering fruit and mineral accents. Best from 2020 through 2040. 8 cases imported. â BS Wine Spectator
Also Available:
2014 Drouhin-Laroze Bonnes Mares Grand Cru
Only $134.89/bottle (ETA 2 Weeks) Buy Now
17+ JR / 90-93 BH / 90-92 WA
Rich and flattering fan of red-fruit flavours on the nose. Then a bit tight and hard with, even, a suggestion of bitterness. Needs lots of time? Jancis Robinson
Tasting note: A pungent nose of reduction and wood make the nose impossible to assess. The powerful, muscular and imposing big-bodied flavors possess excellent mid-palate concentration that coats the palate with dry extract, all wrapped in a slightly drying finish though again, I believe this is due to the gas and thus my range offers the benefit of the doubt.
The 2014 Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru includes around 35% whole bunch fruit and around 60% new oak. It has an open, quite transparent bouquet with mineral-tinged black fruit, a hint of Seville orange marmalade lurking in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannin that lends this Bonnes-Mares good backbone and a little more masculinity than previous vintages. I like the density here, but it just needs to "flow" a little more towards the strict, linear finish. Neal Martin â The Wine Advocate