-
ProducerDomaine Armand Rousseau
-
Vintage2005
-
Grape VarietyPinot Noir
-
RegionBurgundy
-
Sub RegionGevrey Chambertin
-
Importer LabelAustralia – Domaine Wine Shippers
-
SizeBottle
Domaine Armand Rousseau is one of the most famous and best domaines in Burgundy. Based in Gevrey-Chambertin, the estate is formed of just over 15 hectares, over half of which is Grand Cru.
This is one of Burgundy’s greatest domaines – in terms of history, vineyard holdings and quality of wine. The original Armand Rousseau was at the forefront of the first wave of domaine bottling in the 1930s. He was succeeded by his son Charles in 1959, shortly after they had bought a significant slice of the Clos St Jacques vineyard. Today Eric, grandson of Armand, is in charge of the vines and cellar, with the help of his daughter Cyrielle.
The domaine produces pale, finely structured wines of great elegance and stamina. The simple principle of old (but not ancient) vines and sensible yields dictates the Rousseau style. Sometimes the wines can appear light in their youth, but they nearly always take on weight as they age.
96 Points Allen Meadows
A ripe yet cool and wonderfully fresh nose is just beginning to display subtle secondary nuances and is composed mostly by red berry fruit, discreet spice and earth, all of which is trimmed in an extremely subtle touch of oak. There is fine delineation and plenty of minerality on the utterly delicious middle weight flavors that are perhaps a bit less powerful than one might expect in the context of the vintage on the reasonably well-balanced and gorgeously long finish. I say reasonably well-balanced as there is a hint of warmth but it’s not enough to compromise the sense of harmony. This decidedly serious effort is very much still on the way up and while it could be approached now, another 10 to 15 years should certainly return benefits.
94-96 Points Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Pure, sweet, fresh black cherry fruit, marrowy and enveloping carnal richness, mysteriously enticing florality, low-toned, chalky minerality and accents of black tea and star anise are featured in this remarkably seamless wine. Meat, minerals and mystery dominate a finish that is profoundly layered yet preserves sheer palate-cleansing refreshment and positively vibrates with vividly fresh fruit intensity….sock away for at least a decade and preferably two.