2016 Chambertin Clos de Beze
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Tasting notes
Tasted from bottle, the 2016 Chambertin Clos de Bèze Grand Cru (Domaine Louis Jadot) is showing marvelously, unfurling in the glass with a deep bouquet of juicy cherries, cassis, blood orange, violets and rich spices, its framing of new oak already almost entirely integrated. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, multidimensional and utterly complete, with a bottomless core of cool, sappy fruit that entirely conceals its supple but abundant tannins. Immensely concentrated and strikingly structurally refined, this is a brilliant Clos de Bèze that's more classically balanced than the more overtly ripe 2015.
Critic scores
Average Score
Neal Martin
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
(Jadot made 85% of a normal yield here): Bright, full red. Very ripe, almost liqueur-like aromas of cherry and raspberry enlivened by rose petal, menthol and crushed stone. Compellingly rich and dense but light on its feet; even richer and riper than the Chapelle but still with terrific inner-mouth energy and juicy definition. The intense red berry flavors are complicated by an exotic spicy/herbal element of za'atar. Even more backward than the Chapelle but the tannins are wonderfully refined and the raspberry and spice finish at least as long. (Jadot also has a single purchased barrel of Chambertin, but the wine was too reduced and leathery to assess--not to mention chunky and a bit aggressive following a very late malo.)
The 2016 Chambertin Clos de Beze Grand Cru has a glorious bouquet with ample red cherry, redcurrant jus, orange pith and blood orange scents all vying for attention (in an orderly fashion!). The palate is very harmonious with supple tannin, well-judged acidity, quite dense with graphite and tobacco interlaced on the structured and sustained finish. It is not up there with the magnificent 2015 but it will give three decades of serious drinking pleasure. Dec 2017, www.robertparker.com
About the producer
Louis Jadot is arguably the most consistent négociant house in Burgundy. It has managed to straddle both the entry-level and fine wine market, while retaining respect in both.