Dominique Laurent Chambertin Clos de Bèze 1996 is a Pinot Noir from one of Gevrey-Chambertin`s most prestigious Grand Cru sites. The soil here is composed of thin limestone over a solid rock base, yielding wines of great power and elegance. Laurent utilised his famed method of using new oak barrels of exceptional thickness, though the 1996 vintage is praised for maintaining its noble rose petal perfume despite the intense wood treatment. The 1996 vintage is famous for its high acidity, which has acted as a preservative for this wine. It presents a savoury and classic profile with notes of dark cherry, smoked meat and earthy spice. The palate is intense and structured, with a long, mineral-driven finish.