Product Information:
Domaine Armand Rousseau ranks with Romanée-Conti, Leflaive, Jacques Prieur, and a small handful of names that are the stuff of Burgundy legend. These domaines produce impeccable quality wines from vintage to vintage, and consistently place Burgundy at the top of the wine world.
Each of the domaine’s prestigious holdings are in Gevrey Chambertin, with the exception of Grand Cru Clos de la Roche in Morey-St. Denis. The domaine has 8 hectares of Grand Crus, including in Chambertin and in Clos de Bèze. Rousseau also owns acreage in the famed Premier Cru Clos St. Jacques, and the monopole, Grand Cru Clos des Ruchottes.
Director and heir to the domaine, Cyrielle Rousseau, remarks on the stylistic differences of the Grand Cru sites, "Charmes is supposed to be more feminine and elegant than Mazy-Chambertin, which is often more structured. Chambertin is strong and firm, while Clos de Bèze is more delicate and spicy. Each one of the grand crus is so different." Moreover the wines from Gevrey are generally fruitier and spicier than those from Morey Stain-Denis which are quite mineral, tannic and monolithic in comparison.
Regarding winemaking, simplicity is key. For all wines around 90% of the grapes are destemmed. All the vine fruit is placed in open stainless steel tanks, where it is fermented for 18 to 20 days. During fermentation between 31-34 degrees, the juice is gently and continuously pumped over with regular treading to release colour and tannins. After fermentation, the wines are delicately pressed in a pneumatic press and are allowed to settle for 24 hours. Finally, the winemaker transfers the wine to oak barrels. Here, malolactic fermentation takes place naturally. The wine is aged for 18 months in before bottling. Every Armand Rousseau wine is released two years after bottling.
Maker:
Domaine Armand Rousseau is one of Burgundy’s greatest producers. Their wines inspire awe in the fine wine world, with each vintage highly sought after. The domaine was founded at the turn of the last century by its namesake Armand Rousseau, courtesy of a small inheritance of vineyards in Gevrey Chambertin followed by additional vineyards added through marriage. Today, the domaine produces some of the world's most prized wines. Their substantial holdings of Chambertin have accumulated through purchases which span nearly 90 years.
The estate boasts a rich history, initiated by the pioneering efforts of Armand Rousseau in the 1930s. Today, his grandson Eric and great-granddaughter Cyrielle are at the helm. The wines produced by this domaine are pale, finely structured and possess great elegance and stamina. The key to the Rousseau style is simple - old vines and sensible yields, with the wines gaining weight and complexity as they age. These wines are highly coveted by collectors and investors due to their limited annual production of just 65,000 bottles.
Vineyard:
Most of the domaine's prestigious holdings is in Gevrey Chambertin, with the exception of Grand Cru Clos de la Roche in Morey-St. Denis. The domaine controls a remarkable 8 hectares of Grand Crus, including 6.25 acres in Chambertin and 3.45 in Clos de Bèze. Rousseau owns 5.5 acres in the famed Premier Cru Clos St. Jacques, which accounts for 40% of the total acreage, and 100% of the 2.5-acre monopole, Grand Cru Clos des Ruchottes.
The Armand Rousseau vineyard plots are located on the eastern and south-eastern slopes of Cote de Nuits, giving the vine plantings ideal sun exposure. The vineyards are planted with old vines that enjoy clay-limestone soils - attributing Armand Rousseau wine's added complexity and concentration. Eric Rousseau practices traditional viticultural techniques combined with modern methodologies to bring out the best expression of his Pinot Noir. This includes Green harvesting helps to reduce yields (30-40 hL per hectare) and produce concentrated fruits. Leaf stripping helps the grape vines get enough sun exposure for ripening. Plowing of the vineyards helps aerate to the soil. Avoiding the use of chemical fertilizers further maintains soil health.
Nose - Floral Top Notes, Red Cherries, Turned Earth
A discreet application of wood frames pure aromas of red cherries, just turned earth and a floral top note.
Palate - Tensile, Fine, Powerful
The palate is supple but racy middleweight flavors aren't quite as concentrated but they're finer and more powerful.
Finish - Powdery Tannins, Saline, Cherry Inflection
Powdery tannins and a saline finish, it will require a bit of patience.
A discreet application of wood frames pure aromas of red cherries, just turned earth and a floral top note. The supple but racy middleweight flavors aren't quite as concentrated but they're finer and more powerful, especially on the sour cherry-inflected finale that delivers excellent length. - Allen Meadows, Burghound.com
Firmer and more compact than the supple, expressive Cazetiers, the 2021 Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru delivers aromas of cassis and plums mingled with notes of rose petals and spices. Medium to full-bodied, lively and tensile, with powdery tannins and a saline finish, it will require a bit of patience. - William Kelley, RobertParker.com
The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Pinot Noir
Country - France
Region - Burgundy
Vintage - 2021
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 13.5%
