CHAMBERTIN CLOS DE BÈZE

2019 Grand Cru Domaine Joseph Drouhin

EN PRIMEUR

The Drouhins have a different way of vinifying this Grand Cru, using lots of stems (about 45% Whole Bunch) and doing this in barrels. Specially designed 500l barrels with large openings so you can fit the whole bunches in are used for this 'Vinification Intégrale'. We've seen this chez Henri Boillot where they also find this process gives a less grippy tannic edge, as well as raising the feel of purity in the fruit. Lovely spice and church-like perfumes jump out of the glass, gorgeously vivid. Although this is beautifully sleek on the attack, a gentle grip builds whilst in the mouth. This will need time - but it is super exciting already. Lots of spice, a fragrant lifted feel to the fruit. Intense but not thick at all and a lift of minerality drives the finish on and on. L&S (Nov 2020)

* This is a pre-shipment/primeur offer. All orders are accepted under the TERMS of this offer which differ from the terms of the rest of the site.

A very rich and concentrated wine that borders on opulence, but has a ton of fine tannins and enough acidity to keep it fresh. Some chocolate and coffee from new oak, but the very ripe red fruit is also very present. Very bold finish with plenty of tannin, but nothing dominant. Drink or hold. Rating: 95 James Suckling, www.jamessuckling.com (Jul 2021)

Much like the Vosne “1er”, there is a hint of herbal tea sitting atop the markedly spicy and floral scented nose of red and dark currant and sandalwood. There is outstanding volume to the extract rich large-scaled flavors that conclude in a balanced, long and youthfully austere finish where the only nit is a touch of warmth. This needs to develop better depth though the track record of this perennially distinguished wine all but guarantees more will progressively develop. Drinking range: 2034 - Rating: 93 Allen Meadows, www.Burghound.com (Apr 2021)

The 2019 Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru is promising, bursting from the glass with aromas of wild berries, coniferous forest floor, sweet spices, orange oil and peonies. Full-bodied, velvety and enveloping, it's a sumptuous, gourmand Clos de Bèze, framed by velvety tannins and lively acids. Rating: 93-95 William Kelley, The Wine Advocate (Jan 2021)

The 2019 Chambertin Clos-de-Bèze Grand Cru contains around 30% whole cluster and is vinified in 500-liter barrels instead of open-top fermenters. It is very aromatic on the nose, presenting strong floral/peony aromas and touches of oyster shell and sea cave. The palate is well balanced with supple tannins and a slightly brutish finish compared to the Clos Vougeot. Drinking range: 2023 - 2042 Rating: 91-93 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Dec 2020)

Very sweet, red-cherry nose and gorgeous sweet palate entry. Such a charmer! Almost irresistible. Vibrates on the palate on the sweet rather than majestic side but there is excellent freshness too. I may drink up the rest tonight! It may seem strange to suggest that a Chambertin-Clos de Bèze might be drinkable at only six years old but this is such a charmer... Drinking range: 2025 - 2043 Rating: 18 Jancis Robinson OBE MW - www.JancisRobinson.com (Dec 2020)

Joseph Drouhin, founded in 1880 and still family owned, are one of the most well-respected names in Burgundy, especially through their flagship wine, the iconic Clos des Mouches.

A huge part of the Drouhin production comes from their own domaine fruit (78 hectares), and much of the rest comes from contracts such as that with the Marquis de Laguiche, who shook hands with the grandfather of the current generation, agreeing to let him manage his vineyards which included an important part of Le Montrachet; this collaboration endures. Today, the fourth generation is at the helm

Small refinements continue to be made here. The presses have been changed - a reversion to basket pressing for the reds, and for whites the presses are open - along with a number of other growers they are following the trend to think that slight oxidation of the juice before fermentation is not a problem and may add complexity as well as avoiding later problems of premature oxidation in bottle.

For the reds there has been the introduction of selective whole-bunch fermentation in the Côte de Nuits wines. The house style remains one that 'emphasises the natural elegance of great Burgundies' as they describe it. The domaine is all cultivated with an organic and biodynamic approach.

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STORAGE OPTIONS:

Wines bought en primeur are scheduled to arrive in the UK over the course of the next eighteen months. If you do not wish to take home delivery, you may wish to consider where you would like the wines shipped on arrival in the UK. Lea & Sandeman offers duty paid and in bond storage through a dedicated storage company called Elephant Storage. For more details on the terms and fees associated with storage please go to our Storage Homepage or contact our primeurs team for more information.

While helpful, we do not require a firm commitment on delivery destination to process your primeur order at this stage. Our team will be in contact with you when your wines arrive in the UK to confirm the necessary delivery details.

BURGUNDY EN PRIMEUR FAQ

OFFER: All wines are offered subject to availability and final confirmation.

PRICING: All prices are quoted IN BOND ex-VAT, by the case size stated. Please double check that the desired case size does match what is being offered as wines are variously listed in threes, sixes, dozens, halves and larger formats.

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