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.
91-93 Points Vinous
The 2017 Gevrey-Chambertin Lavaux Saint-Jacques 1er Cru has a perfumed bouquet with red cherries, strawberry, orange blossom and hints of chai tea that develop with aeration. There is fine cohesion and focus here. The palate is medium-bodied with a gentle grip on the entry, lightly spiced and quite peppery for a Lavaux Saint-Jacques, building gradually in the mouth with quite a vibrant spicy, even a touch of curry leaf on the aftertaste.
91-93 Points Jasper Morris
Bright rich purple, the nose is quite closed, there is a driven dark raspberry linear energy on the palate, a few firm tannins, quite tight, this needs a little more time in barrel before it really starts to express itself
90-92 Points Allen Meadows
Here the nose is more deeply pitched still with its somber yet fresh array of plum, dark currant, newly turned earth and forest floor scents. There is a marked difference in scale as there is better density to the muscular and intense flavors that brim with evident minerality on the firm, serious and moderately austere finale. At least some patience advised. In short, this is textbook Lavaut.