2005 Chambertin Grand Cru
By Domaine Armand Rousseau
2005 Chambertin Grand Cru from Domaine Armand Rousseau, Burgundy, France
When discussing a vintage as venerable as the 2005 Chambertin Grand Cru from Domaine Armand Rousseau, we are not merely tasting a wine; we are imbibing history. This exemplary vintage stands as testament to the year when Nature rendered Burgundy's terroir both merciful and majestic.
A Signature Vintage with Investment-Worthy Distinction
The 2005 season in Burgundy was heralded for conditions that coaxed out the latent potential within each vineyard plot. The result at the hands of Domaine Armand Rousseau was nothing short of alchemy. Each bottle harbours the complexity coveted by fine wine investors—adding a liquid asset of remarkable pedigree to one's portfolio.
Climatic Serendipity Crafting Elegance
The harmonious interplay of a mild spring, a paced yet pronounced summer warmth, and an optimal end-of-season ripening period refined the 2005 harvest at Domaine Armand Rousseau. The Chambertin Grand Cru grapes achieved an enviable balance, translating into a wine whose structure and depth have evolved gracefully with age.
Upon decanting, one is greeted with aromas of dark cherries and mature earthiness, entwined with an ethereal bouquet of rose petals—a signature of this prestigious commune. The palate is met with a symphony of concentration and vitality; firm tannins are masterfully integrated, supporting layers of red fruit intertwined with hints of minerals and spice—a narrative of refinement that has flourished through cellaring.
Legacy in Liquid Form
The 2005 Chambertin Grand Cru from Domaine Armand Rousseau is indeed one of those rare instances where the viticultural stars align. Not just a sensory delight, but a robust candidate for continued appreciation in value—a cornerstone in any serious fine wine investment collection. In closing, let me affirm that to uncork this grand cru is to unleash an orchestra of olfactory harmonies and gustatory pleasures—a deserving tribute to the esteemed legacy of its land and maker.
Market price (HKD)
HK$367,350.00
12x75cl
Highest score
97
POP score
2260.59
Scores and tasting notes
Rousseau’s 2005 Chambertin – assembled from four parcels, three of them in relatively cool, well-ventilated portions of this cru – offers high-toned aromas of plum distillate, tea and marzipan, but on the palate, chalk, raw beef, dried plum, bitter-sweet black fruits and roasted fennel flavors combine for a low-registered richness. This is the creamiest, plushest, most voluminous, and perhaps in the final analysis deepest wine of this year’s Rousseau collection, with a savory meatiness, chalky minerality and a well of fruit impossible to plumb at such an early stage in what will certainly be three or more decades of testimony to the true greatness of this famous site. With Eric Rousseau taking over increasingly from his father Charles, bottling may end up being slightly earlier than in the past, but such routine features as triage exclusively in the vineyards (not the press house), the inclusion of whole clusters and stems, precocious malolactic fermentation (although in 2005 and 2006, at least, Rousseau says he didn’t force this), reliance on older barrels, and an eventual light plaque filtration for all wines remain as before. Given the long-running success of these Pinots in subtly yet insistently conveying the distinct personalities of their sites and standing the test of time, some might well ask “why change the recipe?” while others will wonder whether the wines could be made even better. In any event, nature conspired to hand the new generation a vintage of historic dimensions. Importer: Frederic Wildman & Sons, New York, NY; tel. (212) 355-0700
David Schildknecht - The Wine Advocate, 29 April 2007