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.
91-94 Points Allen Meadows
This is also exuberantly fresh with more floral influences and notably better layering of dark currant, earth and a wisp of the sauvage. I very much like the texture of the bigger, richer and more muscular flavors that flash both good power and minerality on the robust, lengthy and built-to-age finish. This is a very fine LSJ that is also worth checking out.
91-93+ Points Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Mingling aromas of sweet berry fruit and cherries with hints of forest floor, black truffle, burning embers and warm spices, Rousseau’s 2020 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Lavaux Saint-Jacques is medium to full-bodied, lively and concentrated, with an especially intense, tightly wound profile for a cuvée that’s often rather delicate. Concluding with a long, penetrating finish, it shows considerable potential.