Domaine Prieuré Roch
Clos de Bèze Grand Cru
Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru
2018
Vintage
Varietal
Pinot Noir
ABV
Where it is, June 2026
At Peak: in the heart of its drinking window (2021-2042).
In 2026, the Prieuré Roch Clos de Bèze Grand Cru 2018 is five years into its peak drinking window (2021 to 2042) and still in its early-to-mid peak phase, with sixteen years of prime drinking ahead. The 2018 vintage in Burgundy's Côte de Nuits earned a WS 93 Outstanding rating for big, dense, fleshy and fruity reds with youthful appeal and, in the best cases, freshness and balance. The Prieuré Roch Clos de Bèze is firmly in the "best cases" category: complex and generous with fresh concentration that lifts the weight of the vintage, and elegant smooth tannins that suggest the wine is already accessible but still building toward its greatest complexity. The DB tasting notes were clear: this wine required additional cellaring to show its full potential, and in 2026 that recommendation remains valid. The 2018 is opening and revealing its depth, but a collector with the patience to hold through 2028 to 2030 will encounter a substantially more complex and fully integrated wine. Those opening a bottle in 2026 should decant generously and allow the wine several hours to express itself fully.
The ‘18 Clos de Bèze Grand Cru.
Cult-status biodynamic Chambertin-Clos de Bèze at early peak: the 2018 Prieuré Roch delivers complex concentration and elegant smooth tannins from a tiny, unconventional estate, with 16 years of prime drinking ahead.
Drinking window
Tasting note
The 2018 Domaine Prieuré Roch Clos de Bèze Grand Cru in 2026 displays the characteristic profile of both the vintage and this singular estate. The nose is complex and generous: fresh concentration built on a backbone of dark fruit, the earthy, terroir-driven depth of Chambertin-Clos de Bèze grand cru, and the complexity that comes from Prieuré Roch's unconventional whole-cluster, low-sulfur winemaking. At five years into its peak drinking window, there is some influence of oak still present in the aromatic architecture, consistent with the wine's documented character at release. On the palate, the tannins are elegant and smooth, carrying the wine's generous concentration with more finesse than the vintage's density might suggest. Outstanding depth is the defining quality: layer upon layer of fruit, earth, and savory complexity building toward a finish of exceptional length. In 2026, this is a wine at the beginning of its best years, still gaining integration and depth, and the sixteen years of peak window ahead guarantee that patience will be rewarded with a truly remarkable wine.
The 2018 vintage
The 2018 vintage in Burgundy's Côte de Nuits earned a WS 93 Outstanding rating, recognizing big, dense, fleshy and fruity reds with youthful appeal, and the best showing freshness and balance. The 2018 growing season was characterized by an early and warm spring, a hot and dry summer through July and August that built extraordinary phenolic ripeness, and an early harvest in mid-August to early September. The warmth produced wines of generous concentration and smooth, supple tannins, distinguishing the 2018 from more structured vintages like 2016 or the tension-driven 2014. For Gevrey-Chambertin and the Chambertin-Clos de Bèze grand cru specifically, the warm conditions intensified the appellation's naturally powerful, structured character. The early harvest, beginning in mid-August for some producers, required precise timing decisions; estates like Prieuré Roch with biodynamic farming and close attention to their vines were well-positioned to harvest at optimal maturity.
About Domaine Prieuré Roch
Domaine Prieuré Roch was founded by Henry-Frédéric Roch, co-owner of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and nephew of Aubert de Villaine, who passed away in December 2018. The estate is based in Nuits-Saint-Georges and farms biodynamically across some of Burgundy's most prestigious appellations, including Chambertin-Clos de Bèze. The winemaking philosophy is radically unconventional: very long macerations with whole clusters, no to very low sulfur additions, and wines that are unfined and unfiltered. The result is wines of singular aromatic complexity and terroir transparency that have earned cult status despite, or perhaps because of, their unconventional nature. Production is extremely small, making individual vineyard bottlings like this Clos de Bèze among the most sought-after wines in Burgundy.
From the cellar: pair with
Roasted Bresse chicken with black truffle under the skin and Vin Jaune sauce
The wine's fresh concentration and smooth tannins provide a precise counterpoint to the richness of Bresse chicken while the truffle mirrors the earthy grand cru depth of Clos de Bèze.
Slow-braised short rib with Gevrey-Chambertin reduction and celeriac puree
The wine's generous concentration and elegant structure are ideal for braised beef: the tannins integrate with the collagen richness and the dark fruit mirrors the wine reduction, creating a self-referential and harmonious pairing.
Aged Gruyère with black walnut paste
The wine's complex depth and smooth tannins find an intellectual equal in aged Gruyère, whose crystalline texture and walnut-hazelnut notes amplify the Clos de Bèze terroir character without overwhelming the wine's elegant freshness.
Service & cellaring
- Serving Temp
- 62-65°F (16-18°C)
- Decanting
- Decant 2 to 3 hours before serving. In 2026 at early-to-mid peak, the 2018 Prieuré Roch still carries some structural oak influence and benefits significantly from extended air time. Serve in a large Burgundy glass and allow the wine to evolve across the full length of the meal, as it continues to open and improve over 3 to 4 hours.
- Cellar Storage
- 55°F (13°C), 60-70% humidity, bottle horizontal. This wine has exceptional aging potential through 2042 and beyond.
The drinking window on this bottle is calculated with the Cellared Ageability Index (CAI) v1.0, a 10-factor model. Try the free drinking window calculator on any wine, or read when to drink wine for the practical signals.
More from Gevrey-Chambertin, Burgundy
Frequently Asked
When is the best time to drink the 2018 Prieuré Roch Clos de Bèze?
In 2026, the wine is five years into its peak window (2021 to 2042) and still at early-to-mid peak. It is accessible now with generous decanting, but the wine will be substantially more complex and integrated from 2028 to 2030 onward. Collectors should consider opening the first bottle in 2026 to benchmark it and then waiting two to three years before revisiting. Full drinking window extends through 2042. Explore the [Burgundy region guide](/wines/region/burgundy) for context on peak timing across the appellation.
What is Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru?
Chambertin-Clos de Bèze is one of two grand crus in Gevrey-Chambertin and is historically considered equal in quality to Chambertin itself. The 15.4-hectare site, walled since Cistercian monks farmed it in the 12th century, sits immediately north of Chambertin on the same slope. The Clos de Bèze can legally be sold as Chambertin, but not vice versa, a distinction that reflects its historical primacy. Wines from the Clos de Bèze tend to be more elegant and refined than Chambertin, though the line varies by producer.
How long should I decant the 2018 Prieuré Roch Clos de Bèze?
Decant 2 to 3 hours before serving in 2026. The wine still carries some structural complexity from its unconventional winemaking and the 2018 vintage's density, and benefits from extended air time to open fully. Serve at 62 to 65°F (16 to 18°C) in a large Burgundy glass, and allow the wine to evolve across the full length of the meal, continuing to open and improve over 3 to 4 hours in the glass.
What is Prieuré Roch's winemaking style and why is the estate so sought after?
Prieuré Roch employs radically unconventional biodynamic winemaking: very long macerations with whole clusters, no or very low sulfur additions, and unfined, unfiltered wines. The result is wines of singular aromatic complexity, terroir transparency, and aging potential that have earned cult status. Production is extremely small across all appellations, making individual vineyard bottlings rare and highly sought on the secondary market. The estate's style produces wines that are distinctive, sometimes controversial, and always fascinating. Explore similar [Pinot Noir grand crus](/wines/varietal/pinot-noir).
How does this wine compare to other Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Crus from 2018?
The 2018 vintage produced big, generous wines across Clos de Bèze, and the Prieuré Roch bottling stands out for its biodynamic freshness that lifts the vintage's natural density. Compared to conventionally made Clos de Bèze from estates like Rousseau or Drouhin, the Prieuré Roch shows greater aromatic complexity and a more earthy, wild character from its whole-cluster, low-sulfur approach. The 2018 is notably more accessible than earlier Prieuré Roch vintages in their youth, a reflection of the vintage's smooth tannin profile.