98+ The 2012 Chambertin “Clos de Bèze” from Éric Rousseau is spectacular in every way, shape and form. The nose is deeper, sappier and more primary than the Clos St. Jacques, as it delivers a magical blend of red and black cherries, plums, a touch of blood orange, cocoa, a kaleidoscopically complex base of soil tones, woodsmoke, gamebirds and vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, pure and very sappy at the core, with brilliant soil signature, ripe, very fine-grained tannins and brilliant length and grip on the youthful and flawless finish. A legendary effort!

A highly spiced and exceptionally fresh, ripe and airy nose mixes a wide variety of mostly red berry fruit aromas though there are background notes of plum, cassis, lavender and oak. The broad-shouldered flavors possess a seductive texture thanks to the copious amounts of dry extract that push the very firm tannic spine to the background. I very much like the concentration here as well as the vibrancy and this is very, very dry in the best sense of the term, indeed it is presently almost crisp yet the very dense supporting tannins are clearly quite ripe. This should be a fantastic Bèze in time and eventually the 2012 could rank among the great vintages for this storied wine.

Tasted blind at the annual "Burgfest" tasting in Beaune. The 2012 Chambertin Clos de Bèze Grand Cru has a scintillating, effervescent nose, the new oak beautifully interwoven into the complex red cherry, raspberry and pomegranate scents. There is wonderful definition here. The palate is very well balanced with well judged acidity that cuts a swathe through the structured red berry fruit. This is a serious Clos-de-Bèze reserved for long-term ageing. Quite brilliant. - Neal Martin

A fine clear crimson colour. The bouquet is taking time to emerge. Is there perhaps a hint of brett in this bottle – it is something I have very rarely found chez Rousseau. There is something that softens and sweetens the palate, just taking the edge off the quintessential fruit quality of this wine.