2002 Maison Joseph Drouhin Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru

($160) Tangy aromas of rose petal, spices and coffee. Wonderfully silky on entry, then precise and refined in the mid-palate, with subtly complex flavors of wild berries, herbs and mocha. Less obviously sweet and even more reserved than the Bonnes-Mares, but with a finer grain to its texture and tannins. Finishes very ripe and very long. Has all the elements to make an outstanding bottle.

Author: Stephen Tanzer

Issue: March/April 2004

Dark and red fruits can be discerned in the nose of the medium-bodied 2002 Chambertin Clos de Beze. Its smooth attack reveals superb depth to its black cherry-dominated personality. Notes of earth, rocks, fresh herbs, blackberries, and distant hints of licorice can also be detected in its flavor profile. Its lengthy finish reveals some firm tannin that will require moderate patience.

Author: Pierre Rovani

Wonderfully complex red fruit and earth aromas of real depth and detail lead to supple, strikingly textured and intense full-bodied flavors and a powerful, tremendously long finish. This is extremely classy juice with buried and unusually fine tannins and this should have the ability to age for several decades, perhaps longer.

Issue: 2nd Quarter, 2004