Armand Rousseau Chambertin Grand Cru 2004 bottle - Vins Rare

91-94 BH

Notes:

Tasting note: The difference between Chambertin and Clos de Bze is sharply etched in 2004 as this is bigger, richer and more powerful though less elegant and with a more limited range of spices specifically and aromatic breadth in general. The medium full flavors are tight, precise and very pure with extraordinarily good punch and precision, all wrapped in a firm, dusty and linear finish. I particularly like the mouth coating quality of the flavors as there is ample dry extract here, which serves to perfectly buffer the firmly tannic spine. Outstanding stuff and while not a truly great Rousseau Chambertin, it's knocking on the door. Burghound 91-94

Burghound Producer note: Readers may have heard that Corinne Rousseau has left the domaine and hired Anne Schussler-Naudin to replace her. Mme Schussler together with Charles Rousseau's son Eric, who makes the wines, report that 2004 "had its fair share of challenges but other than the hail, we did not suffer greatly from any of the various maladies that plagued certain domaines. 2004 was a more generous vintage than 2003 but we were careful not to extract too much as the phenolic ripeness, while perfectly good, were not at the level of say a 1999 or 2002. The malos were not particularly extended and were essentially done by the summer and the first racking was in September." For readers who may not be aware, the oak regimen chez Rousseau varies considerably, with the Gevrey up though to the Mazis being aged in 2 year old wood, the Clos de la Roche and Ruchottes in 15% new wood and the "big three" in 100% new wood. The present plan is to bottle as usual in July though some of the lower level wines might be bottled in May, depending on how the fruit matures.

Vins Rare