Chambertin Clos de Béze 2009 Grand Cru, Domaine Pierre Damoy

Domaine Pierre Damoy's wines are a true gem in Gevrey-Chambertin. Established in the previous century by Julien Damoy, the estate has been passed down to the family's eldest son, Jacques Damoy. Upon Jacques' passing in 1992 without a direct heir, his nephew Pierre took over the winery. With 2.22 hectares of vineyards in Chapelle de Chambertin and 5.36 hectares in Clos de Bèze, there was significant potential that had not been fully realized. When Pierre assumed control, local winemakers watched closely to see if he could rise to the challenge. He succeeded, and today Pierre is recognized as a leading figure in the region.

Pierre has a keen eye for the unique qualities of each vine, allowing him to highlight the microclimate's characteristics in his wines. He maintains a strong connection to nature by avoiding artificial fertilizers and pesticides, resulting in wines with greater purity and a clearer reflection of the terroir. Pierre is also known for being the last in the appellation to harvest his grapes, personally overseeing the sorting process, which is done cluster by cluster to ensure the highest quality.

There is often debate about whether Le Chambertin surpasses Clos de Bèze, but the truth is that each wine possesses its own distinct identity. The differences can be attributed to the varying slopes and sun exposure of the vineyards. Clos de Bèze is often more feminine, with soft and captivating aromas, perhaps offering more elegance and finesse. In contrast, Le Chambertin is more masculine and can be unruly when young, requiring longer bottle aging. After 20 years of aging, Le Chambertin often exudes the pedigree and class that Clos de Bèze displays in its youth.