1996 Domaine Armand Rousseau Ruchottes-Chambertin Clos des Ruchottes Grand Cru
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Tasting notes
The 1996 Ruchottes-Chambertin Clos des Ruchottes Grand Cru is a vintage that supposedly Charles Rousseau preferred over the 1990. Here, it is endowed with an open and expressive, overly generous bouquet laden with strawberry, ferrous notes and wet loamy earth – wonderful. The palate is framed by firm tannins, notes of dark berries and sloe intertwined with shavings of black truffle. Typical of this vintage, it feels a bit tannic on the finish, though that never obscures its class. Wonderful. Tasted at the Rousseau Ruchottes vertical in September 2013.
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Neal Martin
Allen Meadows, Burghound
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Pierre Rovani’s archived note quotes Charles Rousseau remarking that the 1996 might turn out superior to the 1990 Clos des Ruchottes. Judging them together, Charles was spot on. This brilliant grand cru has an open, generous, very expressive bouquet with fresh strawberry, iron piping, damp soil notes and later a sprig of wild heather. It is absolutely glorious. The palate is underpinned by firm tannins and decked out with dark berries and sloe, a touch of black truffle peeking its head out from under the covers toward the tannic finish that is like walking down an unlit alley at midnight. I suspect that the 1996 has a long life ahead of it. There is an overwhelming sense of aristocracy here, a Clos des Ruchottes with pretensions towards Clos-de-Beze! Superb. Drink now-2035. Tasted September 2013.
About the producer
Based in Gevrey-Chambertin, Domaine Armand Rousseau is one of Burgundy’s most famous estates. Revered for making unearthly expressions of Pinot Noir, the estate’s wines are some of the most collectable in the world.