2015 Bouchard Chambertin Clos de Beze

(40% vendange entier): More energetic and terroir-driven on the nose than the Chapelle-Chambertin, offering scents of black cherry, licorice, minerals and medicinal spices. Wonderfully silky and seamless but also quite firm, with its currant, licorice and salty mineral flavors lifted by a peppery element that is no doubt at least partly from the stems. The tactile, powerful, slowly mounting finish displays extremely refined tannins and saturates the taste buds. Left behind a captivating perfume of dried flowers in the empty glass. Vinous/Steve Tanzer 93-95

The 2015 Chambertin Clos de Bèze Grand Cru comes from purchased fruit, always from the same owner and parcel. It has a pleasant bouquet: cranberry, sous-bois and dried orange peel emerging with time, though I would like to see more tension come through once this is in bottle. The palate is well balanced with supple tannin, finely judged acidity and nicely integrated new oak. This actually seems to meliorate in the mouth and I particularly like the harmony on the finish. It should turn into a sophisticated red Burgundy, albeit affording it 4-6 years in bottle. Good work here.  Wine Advocate 93-95

More subtle though still prominent oak can be found on the much more reserved red currant and dark berry-suffused nose that displays an astonishing array of spice, exotic tea and soft earth aromas. There is better energy as well as more evident minerality on the sleek and sophisticated flavors that deliver superb length and depth on the balanced finale. This is a powerful but classy effort that, very much like the Le Corton, is going to need a long stay in a cool cellar to fully resolve the supporting structure.   Burghound 93-96