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.
99 Points Allen Meadows
As is often the case, this is more restrained than the Bèze and more deeply pitched as well with its cooler array of strikingly spicy red and dark currant aromas that are more heavily cut with freshly turned earth scents along with plenty of floral and sauvage influences, all of which is again trimmed in just enough oak influence to point out. The exceptionally rich, dense and highly energetic full-bodied flavors brim with both dry extract and a pungent minerality on the brilliantly complex and explosively long finish. This is a classic example of power without weight because despite the imposing size of the ’16 Chambertin, the overall impression is one of harmony and grace. Among the ‘big 4’ of the Rousseau line-up, this is the one wine that might just surpass its 2015 equivalent.
97-99 Points Robert Jasper Morris
A fine imperial purple colour introduces this great wine. There is a gorgeous floral character to the nose, rose petals in the making, but they cannot disguise the beautifully broad-shouldered nature of this Chambertin. It provides exceptionally fine dense fruit, yet nothing massive despite the 15 hl/ha yield. This is still the wine we know and love. Ultra persistent of course.