DOMAINE ARMAND ROUSSEAU
The Domaine was started at the beginning of the century by Armand Rousseau who inherited several plots of vineyards in Gevrey Chambertin. He gradually increased the size of the Domaine with acquisitions such as vineyards in Charmes Chambertin in 1919, Mazy-Chambertin in 1937 and Clos Saint Jacques in 1954. Following his tragic death in a car crash in 1959, his son, Charles Rousseau, who had studied law and then oenology at Dijon University assumed control. Many improvements were carried out, such as building two new cellars to increase storage capacity. Charles's son Eric and daughter Corinne have subsequently become involved at the Domaine. Recent investments have taken place over the last few decades with the enlargement of the winery and installation of stainless steel vats with automatic pigeage in 1996, the purchase of a pneumatic press in 1999 and destemmer in 2001, renovations in 2002 and 2004 and the installation of an air-conditioning system among other improvements.
The Domaine currently owns approximately 13 hectares of vineyards and the vines are old with an average age of between 40 and 45 years. Yields are kept low, at between 30 to 40 hectolitres per hectare. Vinification is traditional with 90 destemming, and fermentation in open stainless steel vats with regular pumping over and pigeage. Following alcoholic fermentation the wines are delicately pressed in a pneumatic press, left to settle for 24 hours, and then transferred into oak barrels for malolactic fermentation. The Chambertin and the Chambertin Clos de Bèze wines are aged in 100 new oak barrels. The Clos Saint Jacques is put into between 70 and 100 new oak. There is no disputing the quality of the wines. Anthony Hanson wrote in his book, Burgundy; Armand Rousseau "is one of Burgundy's great, traditional domains" and the wines are "harmonious, elegant, rich and individual".
Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru, Clos St Jacques--Vintage 1988
12 bottles per lot
Details
PREMIER AND GRAND CRU BURGUNDY FROM ARMAND ROUSSEAU
Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru, Clos St Jacques--Vintage 1988
Côte de Nuits. Domaine-bottled: Armand Rousseau
All bottles of excellent appearance
In Christie's carton
Tasting Note: Medium, maturing; soft, earthy, slightly smoky, harmonious; good flavour, crisp, with a citrus-like acidic touch to accompany its tannins. Attractive. March 1995. M.B.
12 bottles per lot
Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru, Clos St Jacques--Vintage 1988
Côte de Nuits. Domaine-bottled: Armand Rousseau
All bottles of excellent appearance
In Christie's carton
Tasting Note: Medium, maturing; soft, earthy, slightly smoky, harmonious; good flavour, crisp, with a citrus-like acidic touch to accompany its tannins. Attractive. March 1995. M.B.
12 bottles per lot