One of Faiveley's flagship wines, the 1991 Chambertin-Clos de Beze displays an opaque dark ruby/purple color, and a superb yet tight bouquet of black fruits, minerals, licorice, and herbs. Rich, with firm tannins buttressing sweet, highly concentrated fruit, this big, chewy wine should be at its best between 1997-2012.All of Faiveley's grand crus from Gevrey-Chambertin are outstanding wines and far superior to what he produced in 1986, 1987, 1989, and probably even 1988. They were made from very low yields and the balance between the tannin and fruit favors the latter. The 1991 Mazis-Chambertin, Chambertin, Clos de Beze, Charmes-Chambertin, and Latricieres-Chambertin are among the top wines of the vintage. These deeply colored, powerful, noticeably tannic wines are not to consume early, but rather to cellar for several years while the tannins melt away. I do not foresee any difficulty with most of these wines drying out because of excessive tannin as they possess the concentration of fruit necessary to support the tannin.NOTES ON THE 1992s FROM BARREL: Faiveley's 1992s are not as rich or intense as the 1991s. They are made in a soft, accessible, fruity style that consumers will be able to enjoy immediately.Importers: Ideal Wines & Spirits, Medford, MA and Henry Cavalier Selections, Boulder, CO.

Compared to the 1985 and 1990, the 1991 Chambertin Clos de Bèze has the best definition of the three, with the most tangible minerality and tension coming through. The palate is well-defined with fine symmetry and a lovely marine influence infusing the black fruit that comes across quite austere toward the finish. Others warmed to the '91 more than myself, but I found it stubbornly and unapologetically aloof.