Domaine Armand Rousseau Clos de la Roche 2018

A legendary estate in Gevrey-Chambertin producing Burgundy wines with ultimate purity, finesse and expression of terroir, Domaine Armand Rousseau is sought after by the most serious wine collectors in the world. There is not enough wine to fulfill all of the global demands, so we cherish every precious bottle of Rousseau wine that we receive at the Bottle Shop. Ranking with the most elite Burgundy producers such as Romanée-Conti and Comte Georges de Vogüé, Rousseau produces impeccable quality wines from vintage to vintage. Each of the domaine’s prestigious holdings are 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. These elite holdings contribute to the domaine's allure. 

Eric Rousseau is adamant that yields should be severely limited to promote faithful expression of the individual vineyard. The wines age in barrel for 18 months before bottling. Rousseau releases its wines exactly two years after the vintage. Frederick Wildman Imports has represented Domaine Armand Rousseau exclusively in the U.S. since 1934.

Clos de la Roche sits at the northern boundary of the village of Morey-Saint-Denis and directly borders the Grand Crus of Gevrey-Chambertin. Domaine Armand Rousseau owns a little more than 3.5 acres of the 33 total acres under vine. Though just a stone's throw from Chambertin this Grand Cru sits with a more southern exposure and mineral laden soil, producing wines of great concentration and purity, typically maturing sooner than its neighbors to the north.

Vinification: Grapes are meticulously sorted as they arrive in the winery. Following a cool maceration lasting 5-7 days the must travels by gravity into barrel where it will stay for the entire vinification process lasting typically 18-24 months. Each Armand Rousseau wine is blended unfiltered. Rousseau Clos de La Roche is a minerally, complex, and powerful wine, with an abundance of red berry fruit aromas with a hint of thyme and mint. In the mouth, the wine shows true elegance, with spicy, smooth tannins and a hint of tobacco. A long finish with a great consistency and a certain firmness rounds out this incredible wine.