2012 Armand Rousseau, Chambertin Grand Cru 1x75cl

Robert Parker – 96

Tasted blind at the annual “Burgfest” tasting in Beaune. The 2012 Chambertin Grand Cru has a touch of mint on the nose, complementing the mixture of red and black fruit, a pastille-like purity developing with time. This is very charming and the oak is neatly folded into the fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, the acidity perfectly judged and lending the tension and poise one expects from a Chambertin. It does lose a little intensity in the glass but it’s from such a high point it is neither here nor there. This is a wonderful Chambertin. [28/09/2017]

Anticipated maturity: 2018-2040

Vinous – 97

Rousseau’s 2012 Chambertin towers out of the glass. Sophisticated, finessed yet also powerful to the core, the 2012 Chambertin captures a compelling range of expressions. Crushed flowers, sweet red berries, mint, leather and cedar meld into a huge core of fruit in a dramatic, powerful Chambertin that will require considerable bottle age to show the full breadth of its potential. [Antonio Galloni, 04/01/2015]

Anticipated maturity: 2027-2052

Burghound – 97

Discreet wood sets off a highly reserved and not quite as overtly ripe nose of dark berries, earth, and animale nuances that are trimmed in notes of spice, in particular anise, sandalwood and exotic tea scents. There is superbly good detail and focused power to the large-scaled flavors that also possess an outstanding concentration of structure buffering dry extract that imparts a sappy texture to the intensely mineral-driven and explosively long finish. This is a youthfully austere example of the genre that is presently quite compact and linear and thus will require at least a decade to flesh out and unwind but if you have the patience to wait it should be a great Chambertin in 20+ years. [15/01/2015]

Decanter – 99

A monumental, magnificent wine. The Rousseau Chambertin 2012 tasted six years out was a bit closed at first: still slightly reduced and showing a fair bit of wood. Now, as it sits in the glass, it reveals majestic black cherry fruit with all the nuance of Burgundy: violets, smoke, a hint of leather, mineral, fresh earth and a savoury note at the end. Concentrated on the palate and wonderfully long on the finish. Simply spectacular. [15/05/2018]