Had the chance to try two of Rousseau's Chambertin side-by-sde. From the 2 wines below, I think I’ve started to have a slightly better understanding of this Grand Cru. Chambertin, as opposed to its twin Chambertin-Clos de Beze, is always the more quiet brother with breed and elegance. It’s never overtly showy nor the one easiest to like. It demands time and effort to understand and appreciate.
Any comments from anyone about this?
1997 Domaine Armand Rousseau Père et Fils Chambertin – France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambertin Grand Cru
First impression was stems but it gradually faded away into the background. This is not a bruiser but has sufficient concentration to be a Grand Cru. Quite lush on the palate once it opened up and I get some caramel when it was left in the glass for a while. Starting to evolve into something secondary. Definitely one of the better 1997s I’ve had and still holding on strong.
1998 Domaine Armand Rousseau Père et Fils Chambertin – France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambertin Grand Cru
Again, tiny bit of stems on the nose with a deep solid core. This had more presense than the 1997 but in a much more quiet and unassuming way and some tension on the palate. As with most great Burgundies, this is actually quite difficult to describe. The balance is there, the power without weight is there, the transparency is there and of course sheer elegance. Perhaps I can imagine it as a cool and confident person, a feminine soul in a masculine exterior, personified by Joan of Arc.