Armand Rousseau Ruchottes Chambertin Clos des Ruchottes Grand Cru 1996 750ml

Burghound.com/ Tasted: Jan 06, 2013
(with thanks to Dr. Reed Day; also opened from personal storage). The nose on the '96 Clos des Ruchottes is stunningly elegant with really dazzling purity of secondary fruit aromas that lead to relatively supple medium weight flavors underpinned by now largely resolved structure and bright but well-integrated acidity. As it usually is, this is quite earthy with a truffled-quality to the delicious, highly complex and impressively persistent finish. While there is no danger of this going over the hill any time soon, I would be drinking the '96 Ruchottes over the next ten years before the fruit begins to slide away. Tasted four times with mostly consistent notes.

As years go by, Armand Rousseau continues to enlarge his Domain with the purchase of more Grands Crus: Mazy Chambertin in 1937, Mazoyeres Chambertin in 1940, Chambertin in 1943 and 1956.
The Clos Saint Jacques is bought in 1954 in his son Charles's name who joins his father in 1945. In 1959, after Armand Rousseau's death, Charles Rousseau is at the head of a Domain, continue developing rapidly. He then decides to turn principally towards export. He develops the exchanges first with European countries, then to Canada, Australia, New-Zealand, Brazil, etc. and lastly Asia in the 1970's.
In 1982, Eric, his son joined the team after his studies. He starts in the vineyards and introduces new techniques as green harvest, leaf removal and a mechanic work of the soil without insecticides or chemical additions. He orientates the Domaine near a viticulture more biologic and get involve with the vinification. He keeps a traditional way of winemaking with the minimum of manipulations.
The wines from Domaine Armand Rousseau have improve over the years but it has always kept the same spirit as when Armand and Charles were making it. The Rousseau hand is a style of wine very recognizable. The wines are typically Burgundian wines: Fine, Elegant and a honest, truly expression of the vineyards through the Pinot grape and a little piece of the winemaker.

Meats, Duck, Goose and Game Birds