Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru AOC 2021

A Pinot Noir of noble intensity that never draws its depth from sheer power. Slender in structure, silky in tannin, with a long mineral pull. A wine that demands patience and gains in complexity over decades.

Chambertin-Clos de Bèze in the Côte de Nuits is the crown jewel of Domaine Bruno Clair, which farms 27 hectares across eight villages of the Côte d'Or from its base in Marsannay-la-Côte and fills 32 appellations. Part of the vines were planted in 1912 and yield minuscule crops. The plots stem from the Clair-Daü inheritance, formed in 1919 through the marriage of Joseph Clair and Marguerite Daü; in 1986 Bruno Clair founded his own estate with seven hectares.

Pure Pinot Noir, spontaneously fermented, with 20 to 50 percent whole clusters in the fermentation vat and measured extraction. This is followed by 18 to 20 months of ageing in barrique, with the proportion of new oak ranging between 20 and 50 percent. The long rest in the cellar takes care of clarification.

Clear, juicy red and dark berry fruit, joined by fine spice and cool minerality. Fine bitterness, silky tannin and a taut, saline line carry the wine into a long finish. 13.0% ABV, dry.

With rosé-roasted pigeon breast, venison fillet with juniper berries and braised Bresse chicken with morels. Also pairs well with saddle of roe deer in lingonberry sauce and aged Comté.

Cover crops and forgoing herbicides are standard practice in the vineyard. Since 2010 Edouard Clair has worked in the vineyard and vinification, since 2018 Arthur in the cellar and Margaux in shipping and logistics; the younger generation is increasing the share of whole clusters and lowering sulphur levels.