Bouchard Père & Fils : Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand cru 2011

A superb, charming Clos de Bèze, all about spice—not power—but with an extraordinary aromatic palette.

Tasted blind at the Burgundy 2011 horizontal tasting in Beaune. The Chambertin Clos de Bèze 2011 from Bouchard seems more introspective on the nose: cranberry, wild strawberry, a hint of tomato vine and woodland aromas. It takes some coaxing from the glass, eventually offering hints of Seville orange. The palate is full-bodied and dense. There is a lot of fruit intensity here with bold tannins and good depth, but unlike the Clos de Bèze from Rousseau it does not own the same level of precision and comes across a little aggressive by comparison. Still, time mellows us all.