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.
94-96 Points William Kelley
The 2023 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos Saint-Jacques was one of the more backward, primary wines in the range when I visited. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of cassis, dark berries, burning embers and orange zest, it’s medium to full-bodied, rich and layered, with a sweet, creamy core of fruit framed by an elegantly muscular chassis of powdery tannin.
95-97 Points Jasper Morris
A much denser purple. Coming after the Ruchottes, the Clos St-Jacques is like chalk and cheese, yet these are two great wines. This is much more structured, and while the fruit at the front of the palate is impressive enough, there arrives a wealth of darker berries behind, but no feeling of heat.