Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru

Chambertin-Clos de Bèze holds one of Burgundy's most thoroughly documented pedigrees. Around 630 AD, Amalgaire, Duke of Southern Burgundy, endowed the newly founded Benedictine Abbey of Bèze with land in Gevrey, where the monks cultivated vines and built a wall enclosing the vineyard. In 1219 the Abbey sold the Clos to the Chapter of Langres, which retained nominal ownership until the French Revolution, after which the land was divided among many private proprietors. In 1702, vigneron Claude Jobert briefly united both Chambertin and Clos de Bèze under single ownership. Napoleon Bonaparte's well-known patronage of Chambertin wines helped elevate the appellation's fame, and in 1847 the village of Gevrey formally added 'Chambertin' to its name.

• Around 630 AD, the Benedictine Abbey of Bèze received land in Gevrey and cultivated it as a walled vineyard, one of the oldest documented in France
• In 1219 the Abbey sold Clos de Bèze to the Chapter of Langres, which held ownership until the French Revolution, after which it was subdivided
• In 1702, vigneron Claude Jobert acquired both Chambertin and Clos de Bèze, briefly uniting the two landmark vineyards
• Napoleon Bonaparte's patronage of Chambertin boosted the appellation's prestige; in 1847, the village officially renamed itself Gevrey-Chambertin

Chambertin-Clos de Bèze occupies a prime east-facing, mid-slope position within the commune of Gevrey-Chambertin, situated at elevations of roughly 240 to 300 meters on the Côte de Nuits. The vineyard borders Chambertin to the south and Mazis-Chambertin to the north, lying uphill from the Route des Grands Crus. Soils are a mix of pebbly, free-draining limestone with a significant proportion of clay; the upper sections contain harder Bathonian calcareous clay transitioning to crinoidal limestone and Bajocian marl lower down. This nutrient-poor, well-drained terroir forces vines to produce small, intensely flavored berries, while the sunny southeastern aspect enables Pinot Noir to achieve full ripeness while retaining the natural acidity essential for long aging.

• East-facing mid-slope position at 240 to 300 meters elevation within the Gevrey-Chambertin commune, Côte de Nuits
• Soils of pebbly, free-draining limestone with significant clay; upper sections feature Bathonian calcareous clay, lower sections crinoidal limestone and Bajocian marl
• Nutrient-poor terroir restricts vine vigor, concentrating flavors into small, intensely flavored Pinot Noir berries
• The vineyard's boundaries have remained essentially unchanged since the Middle Ages, lending extraordinary historical continuity

Chambertin-Clos de Bèze is planted principally to Pinot Noir; AOC regulations technically permit up to 15% of Chardonnay, Pinot blanc, or Pinot gris, but this provision is virtually never used for any Burgundy Grand Cru. The wines are classically Gevrey-Chambertin in profile: perfumed, full-bodied, concentrated, and structured, with a capacity to evolve beautifully over many years. Clos de Bèze is often described as the more refined and florally expressive counterpart to Chambertin, with tasting notes of strawberry, black cherry, blackcurrant, liquorice, violet, and forest floor when young, evolving toward truffle, leather, and musk with bottle age. Producers such as Armand Rousseau age their Clos de Bèze entirely in new oak from the François Frères cooperage for 18 to 22 months.

• Pinot Noir is the dominant variety; AOC technically allows minor Chardonnay and Pinot blanc or gris, though this is never practiced
• Young wines show aromas of black cherry, blackcurrant, violet, liquorice, and spice; with age they gain truffle, leather, and musk
• Style is often described as the more elegant, floral counterpart to Chambertin, with refined tannins and bright acidity supporting long aging potential
• Top producers typically age the wine 15 to 22 months in French oak barrels, with new oak levels varying by domaine

Chambertin-Clos de Bèze attracts some of Burgundy's most celebrated names. Domaine Pierre Damoy is the largest owner with approximately 5.36 hectares, with vines predominantly planted in the 1920s. Domaine Armand Rousseau, holding 1.42 hectares and ranked as the third-largest owner, is broadly considered the benchmark producer, with current stewardship shared by Eric Rousseau and his daughter Cyrielle. Other highly regarded proprietors include Drouhin-Laroze, Domaine Faiveley, Joseph Drouhin (with a small 0.13-hectare parcel farmed biodynamically), Bruno Clair, Robert Groffier Pere et Fils, and Domaine Dujac, which sometimes combines its small holdings under the Chambertin label.

• Domaine Pierre Damoy: largest owner at approximately 5.36 hectares, with vines principally planted in the 1920s
• Domaine Armand Rousseau: 1.42 hectares; benchmark producer managed by Eric Rousseau and his daughter Cyrielle; Clos de Bèze matured entirely in new French oak for 18 to 22 months
• Drouhin-Laroze and Domaine Faiveley: well-regarded estate producers with established parcels in the vineyard
• Joseph Drouhin: small 0.13-hectare parcel farmed biodynamically, producing a refined négociant expression

Chambertin-Clos de Bèze holds Grand Cru status, the highest tier in Burgundy's AOC hierarchy, under an appellation created in 1937. The AOC covers precisely 15.4 hectares within the commune of Gevrey-Chambertin and requires a minimum planting density of 9,000 vines per hectare. Chambertin and Chambertin-Clos de Bèze share a base yield restriction of 35 hl/ha, slightly lower than the 37 hl/ha permitted for the other seven Chambertin Grand Crus, reflecting their singular prestige. Uniquely, wines from Chambertin-Clos de Bèze may be labeled simply as 'Chambertin,' though because the appellation carries its own strong reputation, this option is rarely exercised today. The reverse, however, is not permitted: Chambertin wines cannot be sold as Chambertin-Clos de Bèze.

• Grand Cru AOC created in 1937; covers 15.4 hectares in Gevrey-Chambertin with a minimum planting density of 9,000 vines per hectare
• Base yield restricted to 35 hl/ha, lower than the 37 hl/ha ceiling for the other seven Chambertin-named Grand Crus
• Wines may be labeled 'Chambertin' at the producer's discretion; the reverse labeling is not legally permitted
• Clos de Bèze is the only Chambertin Grand Cru to carry the 'Chambertin' name as a prefix rather than a suffix, reflecting its distinct historical status

Gevrey-Chambertin village sits on the Route des Grands Crus approximately 15 kilometers south of Dijon and 30 kilometers north of Beaune, making it easily accessible from both cities. The village retains much of its medieval character, with a 12th-century Romanesque church and a medieval castle to explore alongside the famous vineyards. Most domaine owners accept visits by appointment; the village also offers wine shops, restaurants, and cellar-door tastings throughout the year. Beaune, the historic wine capital of Burgundy, provides excellent accommodation and dining options and hosts the famous Hospices de Beaune wine auction each November. The Halle Chambertin in the village center offers structured tastings of Gevrey appellations for visitors seeking an introduction to the wines.

• Gevrey-Chambertin lies 15 km south of Dijon and 30 km north of Beaune, at the heart of the Route des Grands Crus on the Côte de Nuits
• The village features a medieval castle, a 12th-century Romanesque church, the Halle Chambertin tasting center, and numerous producers accepting visits by appointment
• Beaune, 30 km to the south, serves as the wine capital of Burgundy and hosts the annual Hospices de Beaune auction each November
• The Route des Grands Crus runs 60 km from Dijon through Beaune to Santenay and can be explored by car, bicycle, or on foot