Chambertin, Domaine Armand Rousseau 2014

There is enough wood to notice framing the exuberantly spicy red and dark currant aromas that display an abundance of sauvage and earth nuances. The cool and pure medium weight plus flavors are remarkably refined for a young Chambertin yet there is clearly plenty of power lurking beneath the refined veneer. This is a big but not massive vintage for the Rousseau Cham and I like the sense of proportion and particularly so on the harmonious, superbly long and seamlessly well-balanced finale. As is the case with the 2015 vintage, it's going to be very interesting to see which of these two is the better wine in 15 to 20 years.

Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2014 tasting, Rousseau's 2014 Chambertin Grand Cru has a fruit-driven bouquet laden with black cherries, crushed strawberry, ink and a touch of bay leaf. As it aerates, the fruit seems to take more of a back seat and the terroir comes through. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, very pure and elegant, iron fist/velvety glove and so forth. This is what a grand cru should be. Utterly seductive and captivating, its satin texture might lure you into opening a bottle too soon. Give it a decade to admire Rousseau at full flight. Drink 2023-2055.

There is enough wood to notice framing the exuberantly spice red and dark currant aromas that also display sauvage and earth nuances. The cool and pure medium weight plus flavors are remarkably refined for a young Chambertin yet there is clearly plenty of power lurking beneath the refined veneer. This is a big but not massive vintage for the Rousseau Cham and I like the sense of proportion and particularly so on the harmonious and once again superbly long and well-balanced finale. It's going to be very interesting to see which of these two is the better wine in 20 years.