Product Information:
This is a serious Clos Saint-Jacques that's built to go the distance. The 2020 harvest began on August 24th, with below-average yields, which is typical when it comes to Pinot Noir up and down the Côte. Cyrielle Rousseau admires the wine's unexpected freshness and attractive natural balance. This vintage of Clos Saint-Jacques has a saturated hue and is undeniably concentrated, though not at the expense of the elegant Rousseau house style.
Domaine Armand Rousseau ranks with Romanée-Conti, Leflaive, Jacques Prieur, and a small handful of names that are the stuff of Burgundy legend. These domaines produce impeccable quality wines from vintage to vintage, and consistently place Burgundy at the top of the wine world.
Regarding winemaking, simplicity is key. For all wines around 90% of the grapes are destemmed. All the vine fruit is placed in open stainless steel tanks, where it is fermented for 18 to 20 days. During fermentation between 31-34 degrees, the juice is gently and continuously pumped over with regular treading to release colour and tannins. After fermentation, the wines are delicately pressed in a pneumatic press and are allowed to settle for 24 hours. Finally, the winemaker transfers the wine to oak barrels. Here, malolactic fermentation takes place naturally. The wine is aged for 18 months in before bottling. Every Armand Rousseau wine is released two years after bottling.
Maker:
Domaine Armand Rousseau is one of Burgundy’s greatest producers. Their wines inspire awe in the fine wine world, with each vintage highly sought after. The domaine was founded at the turn of the last century by its namesake Armand Rousseau, courtesy of a small inheritance of vineyards in Gevrey Chambertin followed by additional vineyards added through marriage. Today, the domaine produces some of the world's most prized wines. Their substantial holdings of Chambertin have accumulated through purchases which span nearly 90 years.
The estate boasts a rich history, initiated by the pioneering efforts of Armand Rousseau in the 1930s. Today, his grandson Eric and great-granddaughter Cyrielle are at the helm. The wines produced by this domaine are pale, finely structured and possess great elegance and stamina. The key to the Rousseau style is simple - old vines and sensible yields, with the wines gaining weight and complexity as they age. These wines are highly coveted by collectors and investors due to their limited annual production of just 65,000 bottles.
Vineyard:
Most of the domaine's prestigious holdings is in Gevrey Chambertin, with the exception of Grand Cru Clos de la Roche in Morey-St. Denis. The domaine controls a remarkable 8 hectares of Grand Crus, including 6.25 acres in Chambertin and 3.45 in Clos de Bèze. Rousseau owns 5.5 acres in the famed Premier Cru Clos St. Jacques, which accounts for 40% of the total acreage, and 100% of the 2.5-acre monopole, Grand Cru Clos des Ruchottes.
The Armand Rousseau vineyard plots are located on the eastern and south-eastern slopes of Cote de Nuits, giving the vine plantings ideal sun exposure. The vineyards are planted with old vines that enjoy clay-limestone soils - attributing Armand Rousseau wine's added complexity and concentration. Eric Rousseau practices traditional viticultural techniques combined with modern methodologies to bring out the best expression of his Pinot Noir. This includes Green harvesting helps to reduce yields (30-40 hL per hectare) and produce concentrated fruits. Leaf stripping helps the grape vines get enough sun exposure for ripening. Plowing of the vineyards helps aerate to the soil. Avoiding the use of chemical fertilizers further maintains soil health.
Nose - Heady, Beautifully Balanced Red Fruits, Underlying Spice
Aromas of dark berries, cherries, plums, burning embers, loamy soil and black truffles, framed by a patina of toasty new oak.
Palate - Full bodied, deeply Layered, Tightly Wound Core
There is spectacular density here, all beautifully balanced, a real starburst of energy in a royal deep red fruit, a delicious little touch of spice behind.
Finish - Filigree Tannins, Penetrating Finish, Lingering
A concentrated, tightly wound core, concluding with a long, penetrating finish. Given their structure and vibrant acids, it wouldn't surprise me if these shut down after bottling, even if I don't think they will ever seem actively austere, so plan on exercising a bit of patience.
Glowing vibrant deep purple, with a heady but balanced nose. There is spectacular density here, all beautifully balanced, a real starburst of energy in a royal deep red fruit, a delicious little touch of spice behind, the right acidity and very fine length, a spectacular Clos St-Jacques. - Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy, 96-98 Points.
The 2020 Gevrey-Chambertin Clos Saint-Jacques 1er Cru has a spellbinding bouquet, very complex, a nose that you cannot drag your nose away from. Precocious red berry fruit intermixed by crushed stone and sous-bois. The palate is sensual on the entry, quite lush red fruit, filigree tannins, perfectly balanced and poised on the finish that lingers longer than forever. Stunning. - Vinous, 96-98 Points.
Aromas of dark berries, cherries, plums, burning embers, loamy soil and black truffles, framed by a patina of toasty new oak, introduce Rousseau's 2020 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos Saint-Jacques, a full-bodied, deep and layered wine with a velvety attack that segues into a concentrated, tightly wound core, concluding with a long, penetrating finish. Given their structure and vibrant acids, it wouldn't surprise me if these shut down after bottling, even if I don't think they will ever seem actively austere, so plan on exercising a bit of patience. - Wine Advocate, 95-97 Points.
The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Pinot Noir
Country - France
Region - Burgundy
Vintage - 2020
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 13.5%
Sale
