Reviews & Scores
The highly expressive, pure, pretty and exquisitely complex aromas display notes of secondary red and dark fruit, spice elements and earth, indeed this is positively kaleidoscopic in breadth. The still moderately tannic, sappy, intense and equally complex flavors deliver a refined mouth feel on the notably vibrant, explosive and gorgeously long finish that displays just a hint of acid tang. This is a fine effort in the context of the vintage where the only shortcoming is the absence of outstanding density though in fairness to the domaine, this is true of most '96s. While this could easily be enjoyed now with 30 minutes or so of aeration, personally I will continue to hold my bottles for a few more years as the mild dryness does not appear to be a major concern, at least not at this point.
BH93March 2019
The 1996 Chambertin Clos de Beze, here tasted blind, has wonderful delineation on the nose that displays a slightly ferrous scent that becomes accentuated with time. Later, there are suggestions of oxtail and briary. The palate is medium-bodied and is at full maturity, There is an autumnal haze around this Clos de Beze, with a leathery finish that demonstrates good persistency, if not nearly the class of the Chambertin '96. I would drink this over the next decade.
WA93October 2014
Bright deep red. Intoxicating aromas of raspberry, smoked meat, underbrush and oak char, plus an almost exotic sweetness. Sweet, pure fruit began a bit reticent but exploded with aeration to show great thrust and pinot tang. Despite its substantial volume, this wine's fresh berry flavors are sharply delineated. Sweetly oaky in the mouth and on the suavely tannic, very long finish. Finishing note of cinnamon.
ST94