Armand Rousseau Chambertin Grand Cru 2009 bottle - Vins Rare

96-98 BH

97+ JG

Notes:

This is also ultra pure and densely fruited with notes of anise, mint, wet stone and a sauvage hint that introduces intensely earthy and mineral-driven big-bodied flavors that are rich, powerful, serious and densely concentrated, all wrapped in a silky, palate staining and colossally persistent finish. This is actually relatively expressive and approachable for a young Cham yet the balance and harmony is present for this to age for decades. A brilliant effort. Burghound 96-98 Don't Miss!

Eric Rousseau's take on the 2009 vintage was that "we had a normalwinter that wasn't too cold followed by a humid but warm spring. Theflowering was uniform and abundant and the summer was much better thanaverage. In fact, I'd like to have a summer like this every year! We didhave some early season hail in Clos de la Roche but the effect was onquantity and not quality. I began picking on the 7th of September andbrought in generous yields that ranged from a low of 35 hl/ha to a high of48 hl/ha. There was a normal incidence of shot berries though I heard someof my neighbors say that they had lots. Potential alcohols were solid butnot really high at between 12.5 and 13.5% and the acidities were basicallyideal. I did a classic vinification of 16 to 20 days with the onlyexception being that I used a higher proportion of whole clusters, which isto say 15 to 20% versus my usual 5 to 10%. [Rousseau noted that because ofthe hail, he used no whole clusters for the Clos de la Roche]. For me,2009 is a genuinely great vintage as the wines have really elegant tanninsthat remind me of the 1985s or the 1990s. Because of their charm andvelvety textures, the wines should drink well from the beginning." Rousseau noted that he used no new wood at all except for the Clos St.Jacques, Chambertin and Clos de Bze.

The 2009 Chambertin is absolutely magnificent. The bouquet is deep, refined and more complex than the Clos de Bze at this stage of its development, as it offers up and absolutely complete mlange of red plums, cherries, raw cocoa, a touch of grilled meat, fresh herbs, woodsmoke, a great base of complex soil tones, vanillin oak and pungent topnote of violets. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and seamless, with a great core of sappy fruit, impeccable focus and balance, plenty of ripe tannins and a very, very long and magical finish. This will give the surreal 2005 Rousseau Chambertin a run for its money, and it should provide great drinking decidedly sooner than that lovely wine, Pure magic. (Drink between 2020-2070)97+points John Gilman

Vins Rare