1995 Chambertin Clos de Beze

Dark ruby-colored, the killer Chambertin Clos de Beze floored me with its nose of roses, violets, black cherries and Asian spices. Its sublimely elegant palate impression is intense, complex, chewy, austere, minerally, stony, full-bodied and long. It possesses considerable tannin behind the rich fruit so it should be at its best between 2006 and 2016. This note is the result of tastings I did in Burgundy between January 7 and January 29. The wine was tasted from cask, not bottle. Pinot Noir, a fragile varietal, reacts poorly to fining, filtration, and careless bottling techniques, I recommend caution when considering buying a red burgundy based on cask samples. I called it as I tasted it, and hope the bottled wine reflects the quality of the samples I was provided. Importer: Frederick Wildman, New York, NY; tel. (212) 355-0700

Crimson with lots of evolution at the rim. Round, ripe palate impact on the front and broad and vital though pretty sinewy and structured. Not quite the immediate directness of some other vintages. Lots of graininess. For some palates this will be essential burgundy but I’m looking for just a bit more fruit. Dusty. (JR)