Domaine Armand Rousseau   Chambertin Clos de Beze Grand Cru

2018 Chambertin Clos-de-Beze Grand Cru

By Domaine Armand Rousseau

2018 Chambertin Clos-de-Beze Grand Cru from Domaine Armand Rousseau, Burgundy

The revered 2018 vintage in Burgundy has unfolded another chapter in the storied tapestry of Domaine Armand Rousseau, a beacon of unwavering quality and finesse in the Côte de Nuits. My experience with this esteemed producer allows me to affirm that the 2018 Chambertin Clos-de-Beze Grand Cru from this hallowed estate is a compelling embodiment of its terroir.

 

The Quintessence of Burgundian Elegance

There is a sense of gravitas when one approaches a bottle from Domaine Armand Rousseau, and their 2018 Chambertin Clos-de-Beze Grand Cru seems to capture an exquisite balance between potency and elegance. The season’s generosity has gifted this wine with ample sunlight, coaxing out a breadth of complexity from the Pinot Noir grapes.

 

A Symphony of Season and Soil

The vintage's warm summer days and cool nights have culminated in a wine that flaunts an alluring nose brimming with ripe red cherries and earthy undertones, nudging forth whispers of truffle and spice. On the palate, the integration of fruit and tannins is seamless, revealing layers that unfold with an assured grace that beckons further contemplation. A line of minerality whisks through this heft like a seam of silk, uniting the parts into an undeniable whole.

This noble expression, the 2018 Chambertin Clos-de-Beze Grand Cru from Domaine Armand Rousseau carries within it not just the spirit of its birth year, but also a dignified potential for ageing. As an investment piece, it promises to reward those who afford it patience. Its poised evolution cut from the cloth of an extraordinary Burgundian vintage hints at a destiny replete with accolades.

In summary, the 2018 Chambertin Clos-de-Beze Grand Cru from Domaine Armand Rousseau presents itself as an exemplar of its climatic narrative. The interplay of nature and nurture herein is subtle yet profoundly articulate—an investment in time that is certain to unfold with spectacular grace. Discerning collectors would be wise to consider such an addition to their portfolios, for wines like these epitomize both pleasure and prudence.

Market price (USD)

$31,330.00

12x75cl

Highest score

97

POP score

1510

Scores and tasting notes

96-98

The 2018 Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru was more extroverted during my visit to the Rousseau cellars this year, exhibiting a rich and complex bouquet of smoked meats, ripe cherries, cassis, woodsmoke, nori, blackberries and dark chocolate, framed by a lavish application of cedary new oak. It's full-bodied, fleshy and enveloping, with a ripe core of fruit, powdery tannins and a long, palate-staining finish. The Clos de Bèze is more immediate and dramatic than this year's Chambertin.

William Kelley - The Wine Advocate, 9 January 2020

Vintage performance