2018 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos-Saint-Jacques
By Domaine Armand Rousseau
2018 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos-Saint-Jacques from Domaine Armand Rousseau, Burgundy
As a venerated wine that gracefully toes the line between finesse and structure, the 2018 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos-Saint-Jacques from Domaine Armand Rousseau eloquently speaks of its storied terroir with contemporary verve. With four decades trawling through Burgundy's vinous sea, this particular Rousseau vintage sets itself apart with an almost prescient balance struck between Mother Nature's whims and human artistry.
Articulating Terroir in A Glass
The 2018 vintage emerged as a vigneron's puzzle - a test of nerve amidst fickle conditions. Yet, Clos-Saint-Jacques' ancient soils coaxed from their roots not just survival but triumph. This wine bears the hallmark of such resilience, marrying depth with delicate nuance, a result of meticulous sorting and discerning winemaking.
A Vintage Defined by Prowess and Patience
A wash of ripe cherries and summer earth initially greets the nose, already inscribing its pedigree. It is here that one can decipher the deft interplay of 2018's warmth on Gevrey's limestone foundation - ripe berry notes are tempered by whispers of thyme, and a noble structure underpins the ensemble. The palate continues this discourse on elegance; precise tannins carve a path for layered complexity to unfold slowly, rewarding those who favour patience with a balletic evolution in the glass.
Beyond the sensuous thrill it offers now, one can envisage the detailed tapestry of age knitting together over time—a compelling prospect for fine wine investors appreciating the magnificent ageing trajectory inherent in a domaine of Rousseau's calibre.
A Connoisseur’s Investment
The prestige of Domaine Armand Rousseau weaves through this vintage like a golden thread. The 2018 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos-Saint-Jacques represents an extraordinary opportunity for oenophiles and investors alike, showcasing a year where nature and nurture converged exceptionally—bestowing upon us a wine destined to ascend in the pantheon of Burgundy classics.
It stands as a beacon for collectors seeking to adorn their cellars with bottles exuding both immediate gratification and long-term reward potential—an archetype of investment calibre. As such, it becomes an indispensable cornerstone for those assembling a portfolio that narrates the story of great vintages and revered terroirs.
Market price (HKD)
HK$94,040.00
12x75cl
Highest score
96
POP score
615
Scores and tasting notes
The 2018 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos Saint-Jacques is also showing superbly, soaring from the glass with a deep bouquet of red berries, cassis, raw cocoa, candied peel, burning embers and cedary new oak—some 80% new this year. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a richly layered core that's framed by lively acids and refined tannins. This is a powerful but exceptionally elegant Clos Saint-Jacques that very much merits its place as one of the "big three" chez Rousseau this year.
William Kelley - The Wine Advocate, 9 January 2020