Interesting Comparison

I had guests for dinner yesterday and the caterer inadvertantly opened a bottle of 1996 Armand Rousseau Gevrey Chambertain "Clos St Jaques" (which I had pulled) and a 1996 Armand Rousseau Chambertain "Clos de Beze" (when sent for a back-up bottle she pulled the wrong one and opened it before I could check it). These wines were markedly different from each other from an aging perspective. I purchased six bottles of each from a temperature controlled warehouse in Beaune a few years ago and carried the case with me back to the States to my

55F cellar. The Clos St. Jacques is a pale ruby color, slightly bricked and pink at the rim with mature pinot noir notes of cherries, earth and mushrooms while the Clos de Beze is almost inky black with very little signs of age showing black fruits and cherries on the nose with a powerful mineral component and plenty of wet stones. I was amazed at the difference in the development of these two wines from the same maker, same vintage and resonable close vineyards. While I understand the terroir issues, I can't figure the difference in maturity levels from mature to quite youthful. Can any one explain? Bi!!
Reply to
RV WRLee
Loading thread data ...

Two possibilities: 1) Bottle variation due to cork variations.

2) Almost certainly different vinification methods: longer maceration for the grand cru etc.

M.

Reply to
Michael Pronay

I would also add additional factors: Age of vines and yields, are two factors that cause differences in the two wines.

Possibly the vines are older in Clos de Beze and probably the yeild was lower since the Clos de Beze can be sold for a *much* higher price making lower yield economically feasible.

Peter

Reply to
megatron2k02

DrinksForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.