2019 - Chambertin-Clos de Beze Grand Cru, Armand Rousseau

Deeper-pitched and more carnal than the Chambertin, Rousseau's 2019 Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru mingles aromas of cherries, cassis and raspberries with hints of Asian spices, incense, smoked tea, rich soil tones and grilled duck. Full-bodied, sumptuous and enveloping, it's bright and lively, with a fleshy core of concentrated fruit, succulent acids and powdery structuring tannins. Long and perfumed, this is a sensual Clos de Bèze in the making.

The 2019 Chambertin Clos-de-Bèze Grand Cru has a little more concentration and what seems like more extraction on the nose than Faiveley's. Dark berry fruit, incense and veins of blue fruit emerge, perhaps needing just to dial up the delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins and flavors of layered red fruit mixed with blood orange and a pinch of cinnamon. Impressive in its weight and density, this is a Clos-de-Bèze built for long term aging and the zestiness/energy should see it mature with style. Tasted blind at the Burgfest tasting.

Eric Rousseau’s daughter Cyrielle always shows this after Chambertin. Cask sample. Wild on the nose. Racy and athletic. There is no doubt this is a grand cru! Muscular. This wine is a gymnast. But with some polish. Real excitement. Lots of tannin after pure fruit. Long. (JR)