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2012 Domaine Armand Rousseau Chambertin Grand Cru

$3,800.00
  • Producer
    Domaine Armand Rousseau
  • Vintage
    2012
  • Grape Variety
    Pinot Noir
  • Region
    Burgundy
  • Sub Region
    Gevrey Chambertin
  • Importer Label
    Australia – Domaine Wine Shippers
  • Size
    Bottle
SKU: ROUSCH12EC1

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.

Tasting Notes

97 Points Allen Meadows
Discreet wood sets off a highly reserved and not quite as overtly ripe nose of dark berries, earth, and animale nuances that are trimmed in notes of spice, in particular anise, sandalwood and exotic tea scents. There is superbly good detail and focused power to the large-scaled flavors that also possess an outstanding concentration of structure buffering dry extract that imparts a sappy texture to the intensely mineral-driven and explosively long finish. This is a youthfully austere example of the genre that is presently quite compact and linear and thus will require at least a decade to flesh out and unwind but if you have the patience to wait it should be a great Chambertin in 20+ years.

96 Points Robert Parker Wine Advocate
The 2012 Chambertin Grand Cru has a touch of mint on the nose, complementing the mixture of red and black fruit, a pastille-like purity developing with time. This is very charming and the oak is neatly folded into the fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, the acidity perfectly judged and lending the tension and poise one expects from a Chambertin. It does lose a little intensity in the glass but it’s from such a high point it is neither here nor there. This is a wonderful Chambertin.

19+/20 Jancis Robinson
100% new oak. Much more aromatic than the Clos de Bèze. Magnificent stuff that makes you wonder how a humble grape could have caused all this flavour. Not the heaviest Chambertin ever but such integrity and richness. Some chestnut notes and lots of sinew. Certainly not sweet but with masses of rich fruit. Zesty and polished.

2012 Domaine Armand Rousseau Chambertin Grand Cru