2008 - Ruchottes-Chambertin Grand Cru Clos des Ruchottes, Armand Rousseau

The 2008 Ruchottes-Chambertin Clos des Ruchottes Grand Cru is the best of three Rousseau wines tasted from this vintage. It has a well-defined, stony, slightly austere bouquet, but there is more ripeness than either the Charmes-Chambertin or Clos de la Roche. Wild cherries and freshly tilled loam. The palate is medium-bodied with pleasant sweetness on the slightly piquant entry. There is plenty of sous-bois character present, a pinch of cracked black pepper with just about sufficient depth on the finish. Drink this sooner rather than later.