Among Burgundy's great red wines that shape enthusiasts' imagination, the Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru 2016 from Bouchard Père & Fils stands as a masterpiece of craftsmanship. From a legendary terroir, a mosaic of clays and marl-limestones where traces of potassium, phosphorus and iron come to the surface, this Grand Cru offers an aristocratic expression of Pinot Noir. The 2016 vintage, marked by admirable precision, has produced a wine of strong character, both intense and nuanced. The house, with centuries of know-how, has crafted a cuvée whose depth never dulls the brightness of the fruit. Already praised by the specialist press (BH 92-94), this bottle is aimed at table aesthetes, collectors seeking sincere emotion, and those wishing to offer a rare tasting moment, sculpted by time and sensory memory.

Assemblage et vinification

This Grand Cru is made exclusively from Pinot Noir from the mythical Clos de Bèze, approximately 14.5 hectares of superbly exposed parcels that look out over the Côte de Nuits like an amphitheatre of stone and light. The harvest, meticulously sorted, undergoes a gentle extraction to preserve the purity of the fruit and the elegance of the tannins. From the vat, the fruit shows a silky density which the estate manages with infinite delicacy. The ageing of 16 to 18 months in oak barrels, including a proportion in new wood, gives the wine its patina without weighing it down. Lees are handled with care, oxygen is carefully dosed, and time is used as an ally. At the end of this patient process, the structure tightens, the heart of the wine beats, and complexity is orchestrated. The terroir's imprint remains in the background, carried by the discreet but determined hand of Bouchard Père & Fils.

Notes de dégustation

• Appearance : deep and luminous, with a clear brilliance, it promises harmonious concentration and a silky mouthfeel. The clarity testifies to precise ageing and straightforward winemaking.
• Nose : a chiaroscuro bouquet of peony, dried fig and liquorice, lifted by a fine spice note and a mineral breath. On aeration, hints of cherry stone, dried leaf and noble undergrowth emerge, the signature of great hillside Pinots.
• Palate : ample attack, caressing texture, polished tannins. The structure is upright without rigidity, unfolding a tasty creamy richness where a delicate fruit cream makes an entrance. The finish persists with grace, a spicy and saline thread stretching the finale without ever breaking the balance.

Température de service et conseils

Serve this Chambertin-Clos de Bèze between 17 and 18°C in generous glasses to allow the bouquet to fully express its range. A gentle aeration, 30 minutes before service, is enough to reveal aromatic depth without disturbing the wine's subtlety. For cellaring, prefer a cool, dark environment with controlled humidity; bottles should lie on their side and remain undisturbed. The wine already expresses itself with poise and panache, but its cellaring potential runs to 2026 and beyond, promising increased harmony, more rounded tannins and broader aromatic complexity. At maturity, the texture gains velvet and the persistence becomes more pronounced. In this dialogue between time and substance, the terroir's precision remains a constant, bright and vibrant.

Accords mets et vin

• Aperitifs : thinly sliced jambon persillé, mini forest puff pastries, delicate gougères to awaken the palate without overwhelming the wine's framework.
• Starters : hand‑cut beef tartare, veal carpaccio, soft‑cooked egg and wild mushrooms, where the freshness of the dishes meets the silky texture of the cuvée.
• Main courses : game birds, roast duck, dry‑aged beef cut, lièvre à la royale for the adventurous, all matches that magnify the wine's depth and energy.
• Cheeses : robust, well‑matured cheeses, 36‑month Comté, Époisses or truffled Brillat‑Savarin, which respond to the density and sapidity of the Grand Cru.
• Desserts : thin morello cherry tart, chocolate desserts with a high cocoa content, served sparingly to preserve balance. A pairing to try, guided by the wine's elegance and freshness.

Moments de dégustation

The Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru 2016 is the ideal companion:

• To honour a gourmet dinner where the precision of pairings and the beauty of the gesture constitute an art of living.
• On a memorable occasion, celebrated with tact and discretion, where the rarity of the bottle elevates the moment.
• As a connoisseur's gift, destined for a collector or an epicure in search of a refined Grand Cru promised to a fine evolution.

Caractéristiques

• Nom : Bouchard Père & Fils, Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru 2016
• Appellation : AOC Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru
• Type : Red wine
• Millésime : 2016
• Cépage : Pinot Noir (100%)
• Degré d’alcool : not disclosed
• Vieillissement : 16 to 18 months in oak barrels
• Contenance : 75 cl
• Garde : to 2026 and beyond
• Température de service : 17–18°C