Prieuré Roch's Chambertin-Clos de Bèze 2020 comes from Burgundy's third hot, dry year in a row, and one of its earliest harvests. It is dark and concentrated, yet it keeps the freshness that set 2020 apart from 2018 and 2019.
About This Wine
The domaine's parcel sits in the heart of the Clos, just outside Gevrey-Chambertin on the Route des Grands Crus towards Morey-Saint-Denis. Rainfall in the Côte d'Or in 2020 was 62% below normal and sunshine hours were well above average. Berries were small with thick skins and little juice, so yields fell by 20 to 40%. Tartaric acid stayed high, giving low pH, and red colour and tannin reached very high levels.
Tasting Profile
- Nose: Blackcurrant, black cherry and blueberry, with violet, stem spice and crushed stone.
- Palate: Dense and concentrated, with firm, fine tannins and a bright acid line.
- Finish: Structured and persistent, finishing on dark fruit and minerals.
Serving & Food
Hold until around 2030 if you can. If opening sooner, decant for two hours and serve at 16 to 17°C in a large-bowled glass. It should drink well through the 2040s. Serve with roast venison with blackberries, rib of beef, or char siu.
How to Enjoy
Long-term cellaring, and for tracking how Prieuré Roch handles a hot year.
Product Details
Producer: Domaine Prieuré Roch
Country: France
Region: Côte de Nuits, Burgundy
Appellation: Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru
Vintage: 2020
Grape: Pinot Noir
Village: Gevrey-Chambertin
Volume: 750mL
About the Domaine
In the domaine's own words, it uses no synthetic products either in the vineyard, which is farmed organically, or in the cellar. The reds are fermented as whole bunches with no added sulphite.
That approach is unusual at grand cru level. Without sulphur as a safety net, the work depends on healthy fruit, careful sorting and patient élevage, and young bottles can be reductive or show a trace of gas before they open with air.