2006 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos-Saint-Jacques
By Domaine Armand Rousseau
2006 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos-Saint-Jacques from Domaine Armand Rousseau, Burgundy, France
In the pantheon of Burgundian majesty, the 2006 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos-Saint-Jacques from Domaine Armand Rousseau shines with venerable splendor, a testament to the prowess of its creator and the singularity of its vintage. A season marked by diligent vineyard management and astute timing, 2006 staved off the extremes of weather, allowing a meticulously paced ripening that has culminated in a wine of exceptional poise.
Refined Elegance: The Hallmark of Stellar Investment
The investment potential of the 2006 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos-Saint-Jacques is underscored not just by its storied provenance but equally by its splendid evolution. Domaine Armand Rousseau's expertise with Pinot Noir materialises here in a crescendo of deftly interwoven tannins and nuanced flavours that aficionados and investors alike seek. The judicious integration of oak and fruit throughout aging reflects a commitment to both tradition and technical finesse.
A Distinct Journey Through The Palate
As I revisit this vintage, it is clear that the terroir's essence has been masterfully teased to the fore. The 2006 iteration articulates the typicity of Gevrey-Chambertin with clarity—its terroir's whispers turned narratives as red berry themes are enriched by earthy undertones and an ethereal play of spices. Each sip offers a labyrinthine journey through impressions of autumnal forests and lively fruit orchards, seasoned with an indulgence of black truffle whispers—a sensory archive that Domaine Armand Rousseau curates flawlessly.
This vintage stands among its peers as an emblem of the harmonious dance between nature's offerings and human craftsmanship. In the realm of fine wine investments, securing parcels of this storied nectar promises more than just aesthetic delight; it whispers tales of potential growth bound intrinsically to the mystique around the 2006 harvest year—a lustrous gem within one's portfolio.
A Treasure Amongst Giants
In sum, the 2006 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos-Saint-Jacques represents not merely a testament to the lauded lineage of Domaine Armand Rousseau but embodies a particular narrative within Burgundy's tapestry, where climate and vintner forthrightness converge to craft something truly special. For those drawn to dexterity in their liquid assets, this offering from the heart of Burgundy should not be overlooked for its poised potential in both glass and cellar.
Market price (USD)
$13,070.00
12x75cl
Highest score
92
POP score
892.5
Scores and tasting notes
Rousseau's 2006 Gevrey-Chambertin Clos St.-Jacques – which received 75% new barrels this year, rather than 100% as in 2005 – is strikingly pungent and bracing even in the nose, mingling fresh sour cherry, cherry pit, bitter-sweet herbal concentrate, iodine, peat, and hints of game. This attacks the palate as its aromas anticipated, and hints of black pepper and chalk add to the invigorating sense of grip. Even (as this was when I tasted it) prior bottling – which at Rousseau involves pumping and bottling – the overall impression here is relatively spare and delicate. But this offers a fine example of how this need not preclude sheer flavor intensity or energy, present in spades here. The finish is impressively pungent and piquant, and one can safely assume at least a decade of fascination is in store for the owners of bottles. Since Eric Rousseau – as mentioned in my issue 170 run-down of his methodology – does not on principle utilize a sorting table, I imagined the aftermath of hail in 2006 presenting a special challenge to his pickers and to bottled quality, but it was one he and his team clearly surmounted. Clos de Beze, Griotte-, and Chapelle-Chambertin were the worst-effected, relates Rousseau, along with numerous of his village-level parcels. Potential alcohol levels are closer to 2003's record highs than they are to those of 2005, but the finished 2006s – while hardly as successful as their immediate predecessors – do not suffer any spirituous roughness or heat, and are thus free to effectively make their relatively light, bright, and in the best instances distinctive statements. Rousseau reports – and my limited opportunities for comparison confirm – that the initially rather austere and even brittle, disjointed personalities of these wines were ameliorated in the course of elevage, and the best of them have blossomed beautifully. (I was unable to taste several top wines here after bottling, so my notes on those are based on a representative sampling and blending from cask shortly before bottling.) Importer: Frederic Wildman & Sons, New York, NY; tel. (212) 355-0700
David Schildknecht - The Wine Advocate, 21 December 2009