2008 Pierre Damoy Chambertin Clos de Beze

Pierre Damoy is a 25-acre estate in Cote de Nuits. It is run by Pierre Damoy who took over from his uncle in 1992. Under the younger Damoy the estate has become known for Grand Crus from Chambertin-Clos de Beze and Chapelle-Chambertin. Clive Coates calls Pierre Damoy “an important domain…Quality is now what it should be.”

Chambertin Clos-de-Beze is a Grand Cru vineyard in Gevrey-Chambertin, and its history goes back to the 7th century when it was owned by the monks of the Abbey of Beze. After the French Revolution the Catholic Church was forced to divide the vineyard among peasants. Today it is a 38-acre vineyard, making it slightly larger than Chambertin. Chambertin and Chambertin Clos-de-Beze are adjacent and share similar limestone, clay and gravel soils. Of the 18 proprietors, the largest by acreage are Pierre Damoy, 13.4 acres; Armand Rousseau, 3.5 acres; and Drouhin-Laroze, 3.48 acres.

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.