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 discreet but not invisible touch of wood sets off a more deeply pitched and intensely floral nose that in particular displays notes of violet and lavender along with plum, black cherry, spice and gentle earth scents. There is again excellent volume to the sleek but powerful and concentrated middle weight plus flavors that exude a fine bead of minerality on the moderately austere finish that delivers flat out superb persistence. While this gorgeously classy effort will also require extended keeping to reach its apogee, it contrasts with the grands crus in that it should be approachable after only 6 to 8 years of bottle age.
97 Points Wine Advocate
Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2014 tasting, Rousseau’s 2014 Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Clos Saint Jacques has a very refined and delineated bouquet with prudent use of new oak here that is seamlessly integrated and allows the vibrant red fruit to flourish. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, crisp acidity, very good tension and a welcome dash of spice toward the finish that conveys genuine substance and class. The aftertaste is incredibly long—the mouth tingling with residual spiciness long after the wine has departed. This is stunning and, dare I suggest, equal to Rousseau’s Chambertin and Clos de Bèze.