A magnum of Prieuré Roch's Chambertin-Clos de Bèze from 2014, a classic, fresh vintage in the Côte de Nuits. More than ten years on, it is moving from primary fruit into the savoury, earthy side of old Gevrey.
About This Wine
The Clos goes back to the 7th century, when monks of the Abbey of Bèze planted it. The canons of Langres farmed it from 1219 until the Revolution, and it was classed grand cru in 1937. Prieuré Roch's parcel is a little over a hectare in the middle of the Clos. In 2014, hail on 28 June hit the Côte de Beaune hardest, while Gevrey escaped the worst of it. After a patchy summer, a warm, largely sunny September brought the grapes in, and the Côte de Nuits had mostly finished picking by 22 September.
Tasting Profile
- Nose: Red cherry and redcurrant with dried rose, forest floor, sous-bois and a little game.
- Palate: Medium-bodied and fine-boned, with bright acidity and tannins that have started to soften.
- Finish: Long and savoury, with spice and a mineral finish.
Serving & Food
Decant gently off any sediment about 45 minutes ahead and serve at 16°C. It is drinking now and the magnum should hold well to the mid-2030s. Good with roast partridge, wild mushroom risotto, or Époisses.
How to Enjoy
A mature grand cru for a dinner party, and for lovers of the savoury side of aged Pinot.
Product Details
Producer: Domaine Prieuré Roch
Country: France
Region: Côte de Nuits, Burgundy
Appellation: Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru
Vintage: 2014
Grape: Pinot Noir
Village: Gevrey-Chambertin
Format: 1.5L magnum
About the Domaine
The domaine began with one vineyard. Henry-Frédéric Roch first saw the Clos Goillotte in Vosne-Romanée in 1979, and in 1988 it became the founding parcel of his estate. This 0.55-hectare monopole was once the private vineyard of the Prince de Conti.
From that start Roch built up a set of walled vineyards that is unusual in Burgundy, adding the Clos des Corvées in Nuits-Saint-Georges and holdings in Clos de Vougeot and Clos de Bèze. Farming has been organic, without synthetic products, from the outset.