Domaine Armand Rousseau stands as a beacon among the revered names of Burgundy, its reputation gleaming alongside the likes of Romanée-Conti, Leflaive, and Jacques Prieur. With a steadfast commitment to excellence, these distinguished estates consistently yield wines of unparalleled quality, reinforcing Burgundy's exalted status in the realm of fine wines.
Nestled primarily in Gevrey-Chambertin, the domaine's vineyards encompass prestigious terroirs, with the exception of the Grand Cru Clos de la Roche in Morey-St. Denis. Impressively, Rousseau commands 8 hectares of Grand Crus, including 6.25 acres in Chambertin and 3.45 acres in Clos de Bèze. Moreover, it holds sway over 5.5 acres of the esteemed Premier Cru Clos St. Jacques, representing a substantial 40% of its total acreage, and reigns as the sole proprietor of the 2.5-acre Grand Cru Clos des Ruchottes monopole.
Intricately layered aromas of spice, earth, dark berries, underbrush, dried floral hints and leather are trimmed in just enough wood to merit pointing out. The texture of the medium-bodied flavors is ultra-fine yet there is plenty of power and punch, particularly on the intensely mineral-inflected, youthfully austere, serious and amazingly persistent finish that really fans out as it sits on the palate. In particular, the complexity is already remarkable, and this beautifully balanced effort should amply repay mid to longer-term keeping.
Unwinding in the glass with aromas of dark berries, spices, espresso roast, loamy soil and orange oil, the 2021 Chambertin Grand Cru is medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, with a seamless core of fruit that's framed by powdery tannins and lively acids. Rich and penetrating, it's the most reserved wine in the cellar at this youthful stage.