1998 Domaine Jacques Prieur Chambertin Clos de Beze

Domaine Jacques Prieur is in Meursault, Burgundy. The estate owns or leases a total of 50 acres, including excellent parcels in Montrachet, Chevalier-Montrachet, Puligny-Montrachet Les Combettes, Musigny, Chambertin and Chambertin-Clos de Beze. The estate is owned by the Prieur family and Antonin Rodet. The estate makes Grand Cru and Premier Cru red and white Burgundy.

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.