Vivian Liang | November 24, 2020
Chambertin Grand Cru
Domaine Armand Rousseau is one of the great names in the world of fine wine and maker of some of the greatest wines from Burgundy. A family business spanning four generations, currently under the leadership of father and daughter team Eric and Cyrielle Rousseau, the domaine has one of the most enviable collections of vineyards, the majority in Gevrey Chambertin. There are many stars, such as Clos St Jacques and Clos de Beze, however, the crown jewel of the domaine is undoubtedly its mighty Chambertin Grand Cru.
Rousseau owns 2.55 hectares in Chambertin, spreading across three parcels with east-facing exposure, and a north-south parcel at the edge of the woods. As with all great wines, the magic starts in the vineyard, namely the old vines in Rousseau’s vineyards which naturally limit yield. In the winery, most of the fruit is de-stemmed with some whole bunches depending on the vintage. Fermentation takes place in open vats, pumping over and punch-downs are gentle, and temperatures are closely monitored. Rousseau’s Chambertin is distinguished by its extraordinary depth, complexity, and longevity.
I have had the chance to enjoy a few vintages of this wine and they took my breath away every single occasion. In their youth they tend to be rich, intense and show great potential to age. At full maturity they are simply stunning – expressive notes, layers of flavors and incredibly long and persistent finishes. A masculine wine by Burgundian standards, Chambertin rewards your patience with tremendous pleasure. Rousseau’s Chambertin is no doubt one of the best wines one could ever drink in a lifetime.
I invite you to explore the vintages below:
