Robert Groffier
Chambertin-Clos de Beze Grand Cru
Chambertin-Clos de Beze
2019
Vintage
Varietal
Pinot Noir
ABV
Where it is, June 2026
At Peak: in the heart of its drinking window (2022-2041).
In 2026, the Robert Groffier Chambertin-Clos de Beze Grand Cru 2019 is firmly at peak, entering its fourth year of prime drinking. The 2019 vintage was the best year for Gevrey-Chambertin since 2015, and this wine has spent the intervening years knitting together the powerful dark fruit concentration, firm tannin structure, and electric mineral backbone that characterize Clos de Beze. What was compact and a little austere on release has softened into something layered and harmonious. The fruit has shifted from primary dark cherry and plum to more complex, dried and savory registers - black fruit compote, iron, cedar, and forest floor. The tannins are polished and integrated, no longer asserting themselves as grip but lending texture to the long finish. With 15 years remaining in the peak window through 2041, there is no urgency to open bottles, but there is every reason to. This is Burgundy at the moment it delivers on its promise - not a wine to save for later, but a wine that rewards you now for the patience that got you here.
The ‘19 Chambertin-Clos de Beze Grand Cru.
Among the most powerful expressions from Gevrey-Chambertin's greatest Grand Cru vineyard, the 2019 Groffier Clos de Beze enters its peak in 2026 with 15 years of prime drinking ahead.
Drinking window
Tasting note
Deep garnet in the glass with a violet-tinged rim just beginning to show the first signs of brick at the outer edge, signaling that the 2019 is crossing from youthful exuberance into its first phase of mature complexity. The nose is commanding and precise: dark cherry and black plum lead, with layers of crushed violet, dried rose, and a distinct forest-floor earthiness that marks the finest Gevrey-Chambertin terroir. Wet stone, iron, and faint cedar emerge with time in a wide glass, pulling the nose deeper and more mineral with each pass. On the palate the wine is full-bodied without heaviness, generous without excess. Dark cherry compote, blackberry, and a streak of dark cocoa carry across the mid-palate, threaded through with a minerality that ties the whole structure together. The tannins are ripe and polished - present enough to carry this wine forward across its long peak window, but refined enough that they add texture rather than resistance. The finish is exceptionally long, leaving a trail of iron-mineral spice that fades slowly. Robert Groffier has captured both the power and refinement that 2019 Burgundy is celebrated for - a wine built equally for the cellar and the table.
The 2019 vintage
The 2019 Burgundy vintage earned a Wine Spectator Classic rating of 95 points - the highest category on their vintage chart - and is widely considered the finest year for Gevrey-Chambertin's Grand Cru vineyards since 2015. A warm, dry growing season through the summer delivered exceptional ripeness and concentration, while a critical cool-down in late August protected natural acidity and freshness. Harvest conditions beginning in mid-September were near-ideal: healthy, concentrated fruit with no disease pressure. The combination of power, structure, and freshness that 2019 produced in Gevrey-Chambertin is rare - vintages of this caliber arrive perhaps twice a decade. Wine Spectator described the vintage character as ripe, focused black fruit flavors with fine structure and freshness, the building blocks for wines of genuine longevity.
About Robert Groffier
Robert Groffier and his son Nicolas have worked their exceptional parcels in Chambolle-Musigny and Gevrey-Chambertin for decades, producing Pinot Noir of uncommon elegance and structural precision. The Groffier style is defined by whole-cluster fermentation with a significant percentage of whole bunches retained for aromatic complexity, extended maceration to build structure, and aging in a high percentage of new French oak barrels. Their holdings in Chambertin-Clos de Beze total roughly half a hectare, split across two plots at the heart of one of Burgundy's most revered Grand Cru vineyards. Allocations are tightly held, production is deliberately small, and the secondary market reflects consistent demand from collectors who have tracked this domaine across vintages.
From the cellar: pair with
Roasted Rack of Lamb with Herbed Crust
The wine's polished tannins and dark fruit intensity cut cleanly through lamb fat while the iron-mineral finish harmonizes with the herb and garlic crust.
Wild Mushroom Risotto with Black Truffle
The wine's forest-floor and earth notes find a natural counterpart in wild mushrooms; its firm acid lifts each rich, starchy bite and keeps the palate fresh.
Aged Comte or Beaufort
Aged Alpine cheese matches the wine's concentrated fruit and long mineral finish; the crystalline, nutty texture of the cheese softens the structure without competing with it.
Service & cellaring
- Serving Temp
- 60-64F (16-18C)
- Decanting
- Decant 60 to 90 minutes in 2026. The wine is at peak with the structure to benefit from aeration without risk of overexposure. A wide-bottomed decanter or simply opening the bottle an hour before serving will bring the aromatics forward. Avoid extended decanting beyond two hours, which risks flattening the mid-palate fruit and mineral tension that define this wine at its peak.
- Cellar Storage
- 55F (13C), 60-70% humidity, stored on its side in a vibration-free environment.
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, France
Frequently Asked
When is the best time to drink the Robert Groffier Chambertin-Clos de Beze 2019?
In 2026 this wine is at peak, entering its fourth year of prime drinking. The window runs through 2041, giving 15 more years of optimal enjoyment. Open a bottle now with confidence, but the wine has the structure to reward further cellaring through the mid-2030s, when secondary notes of dried fruit, leather, and iron will become more pronounced. For the full context of aging Burgundy Grand Crus, see [Burgundy wines](/wines/region/burgundy).
Should I decant the 2019 Groffier Clos de Beze?
Yes, decant for 60 to 90 minutes before serving in 2026. The wine is at peak and does not require aggressive aeration - a wide decanter or opening the bottle an hour early will bring the aromatics forward. Extended decanting beyond two hours risks flattening the mid-palate fruit and mineral tension that makes this wine distinctive. Serve at 60-64F for the best expression of both the dark fruit concentration and the long mineral finish.
What foods pair best with the Robert Groffier Chambertin-Clos de Beze 2019?
The wine's polished tannins, ripe dark fruit, and long mineral finish make it an ideal partner for roasted rack of lamb, wild mushroom risotto with truffle, and aged Alpine cheeses like Beaufort. Roasted duck and venison with berry reduction are also excellent matches. The mineral-forward structure works best with savory, protein-rich preparations - avoid acidic dishes that would overpower the wine's aromatic complexity. This is a wine for a serious dinner table. See [Pinot Noir wines](/wines/varietal/pinot-noir) for pairing traditions across this varietal.
What makes the 2019 vintage special for Gevrey-Chambertin Grand Crus?
The 2019 Burgundy vintage received a Wine Spectator Classic rating of 95 points - the highest tier on their scale - and is widely considered the finest year since 2015. A warm, dry summer built concentration and ripeness, while a late-August cool spell preserved the natural acidity that gives Grand Cru Gevrey-Chambertin its structure and aging potential. Harvest began in mid-September under ideal conditions. Compare with the [Robert Groffier Bonnes-Mares Grand Cru 2017](/wines/robert-groffier/bonnes-mares-grand-cru/2017) to see how the domaine performs across its Grand Cru holdings.
Is the 2019 Robert Groffier Clos de Beze a good wine to cellar further?
Yes - with 15 years remaining in the peak window through 2041 and a hard decline not expected until 2049, this wine has exceptional aging potential. The structure provided by whole-cluster fermentation, extended maceration, and new French oak aging means the bottle will continue to evolve and gain complexity through the 2030s. Store at 55F with 60-70% humidity on its side in a vibration-free environment. See also [Domaine Armand Rousseau Charmes-Chambertin 2017](/wines/domaine-armand-rousseau/charmes-chambertin-grand-cru/2017) for a cross-producer view of Grand Cru Gevrey aging.