Chambertin Clos de Bèze Grand Cru 2002, Drouhin-Laroze

A second wine tasted at the Bibendum Burgundy tasting. This Clos de Bèze 2002 was the fist I cracked open from the case knowing that the vintage is a robust vin de garde. The colour of this grand cru stood out from the other wines in the tasting with a deep, profound, black cherry colour. More opaque than the usual pinot. Initial nose of blood orange, saddle leather, savoury, still fairly closed. Then black tea and bergamote. As expected this is a powerful, tannic wine. There's a lift of acidity at the end. Needs time, intense and brooding. Excellent with food. I doubt the 2002s will ever offer much hedonistic drinking as a solo pursuit. Domaine Drouhin-Laroze has a phenomenal range of grands crus and premiers crus and, for my part, produces benchmark Gevrey. Photo shows sun-soaked grapes in Gevrey on July 29th 2011.