1996 Armand Rousseau, Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Les Cazetiers
The first sniff will enrapture some, but disappoints me; initially I think it’s high-toast oak, it slowly fades though, and fast enough that I assume it must really be reduction – yet the flavour of reduction is missing – a bit of both? – probably, because it never completely fades. Slowly you appreciate some beautiful fruit notes and a slowly growing floral element that also supports the subtler toast. Full in the mouth – but with no extraneous plushness – with an earthy fruit that holds well in the finish, but has a great, higher-toned mid-palate dimension. I would say relatively masculine in profile, energetic, but without any undue emphasis from the acidity. Just a cracking bottle!
Rebuy – Yes