Domaine Armand Rousseau - Chambertin 2021
Price: $3899.95
| Producer | Domaine Armand Rousseau |
| Country | France |
| Region | Burgundy |
| Subregion | Cote de Nuits |
| Varietal | Pinot Noir |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Sku | 12489 |
Domaine Armand Rousseau is one of the most esteemed wine producers in Burgundy, France, renowned for its exceptional Pinot Noir from the Côte de Nuits, particularly in Gevrey-Chambertin. Founded in the early 20th century by Armand Rousseau, the domaine quickly gained a reputation for its dedication to quality and its pioneering role in estate bottling—a rarity at the time. Today, under the direction of Eric Rousseau, the domaine continues to be family-run and upholds a traditional, minimalist approach to winemaking, emphasizing terroir expression and longevity. Their holdings include some of Burgundy’s most celebrated Grand Cru vineyards, such as Chambertin, Clos de Bèze, and Clos Saint-Jacques, with wines that are known for their elegance, depth, and age-worthiness. Domaine Armand Rousseau is considered a benchmark for classic Burgundy and is highly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs around the world.
Decanter: 98 Points
This wine figures prominently on my list for 'best of the vintage', edged out only slightly by its stablemate Clos de Bèze. It is a wine of great intensity, with pronounced, forward, brambly blackberry fruit, notes of lavender, smoke, a hint of wood spice, and compelling savoury complexity. The texture is firmly tannic and dense but not imposing. There is no lack of fresh acidity, yet everything is in balance, and the overall impression is one of seamless beauty.
Wine Spectator: 97 Points
There is a palpable energy in this red, its silky texture embracing flavors of cherry, raspberry, rose, mineral and sandalwood. Linear and racy, with finesse and harmony as this builds to the intense, lingering finish. A major success in the challenging ’21 vintage.
Burghound: 94-96 Points
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.
Wine Advocate: 93-95 Points
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. Cyrielle Rousseau is another producer who likes the 2021 vintage for its more classical proportions and cooler profile, but yields are down considerably here, between the April frosts and heavy botrytis pressure late in the season.
Vinous Media: 92-94 Points
The 2021 Chambertin Grand Cru bides its time in the glass. Dark berry fruit, oyster shell and blackcurrant pastilles mix with subtle autumn leaf scents. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, cohesive but not deep or concentrated. Shows fine acidity and is nicely poised, though it's unapologetically conservative on the finish. Is this hiding something up its sleeve?
