Medium-pale colour. Wide and high-toned aromas that are a little diffuse cover a tighter core of fruit. Whilst this is rather elegant, there is a beautiful depth to the fruit – a clear ‘buy’ despite the 69 franc tariff – long finishing and lovely.
Rousseau Armand
2005 Rousseau Armand Gevrey-Chambertin
2002 Rousseau Armand Gevrey-Chambertin
Medium cherry-red colour. The nose soars, high-toned and fresh, with violets and cherry-skinned fruit over toast from the creamy oak base. Some fat, fresh red-shaded fruit on the palate with a creamy texture. This is, at best, only medium weight, but there’s super purity and detail, the fruit is really quite punchy on the mid-palate. I prefer the finish on the 2001 but this presents itself really well – I’ll also buy a couple more of these. One negative from the last drops, the nose becomes quite estery and not that pleasant – quite a contrast to the 2001.
2001 Rousseau Armand Gevrey-Chambertin
Medium, medium-pale ruby-red colour. High tones, a distinct raspberry character and a cedar-oak background, quite wide and interesting. The palate is a shade less than medium bodied but has a lovely seam of acidity running through. The tannin has a hint of dryness and grain, but only a hint. A real treat after a few 2003’s, and this is less dense than many ’03 Bourgognes, but this a lovely lacy wine by comparison with super aromas that are held in the empty glass – I’ll buy a couple more.