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.
93-95 Points Allen Meadows
A discreet but not invisible touch of wood sets off an intensely floral nose that in particular displays notes of violet and lavender along with plum, black cherry, spice and gentle earth scents. There is once again excellent volume to the sleek but powerful and concentrated flavors that exude a fine bead of minerality on the moderately austere finish that also delivers superb persistence. While this too will require extended keeping it contrasts with the grands crus in that it should be approachable after only 6 to 8 years of bottle age.
95-97 Points Robert Parker Wine Advocate
The 2014 Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Clos Saint Jacques will be aged in 80% new oak, although my sample came from a new barrel. It has a very perfumed, voluminous bouquet with billowing red berry fruit, rose petals and subtle flinty aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with a fine saline entry. You can feel the mouth tingling here with wonderful tension and poise on the sustained finish. This is a more linear “CSJ” than recent vintages, but no less entrancing. It challenges the Clos de Bèze for the silver medal behind the Chambertin.