Chambertin, Domaine Armand Rousseau 2001

The expressive nose has always retained its genuinely stunning aromatic complexity and even with 14 years of age the still mostly primary black and red pinot fruit scents that are mixed with violets, dried rose petals and pungent soil notes, display only the first hints of secondary development. There is a bit more size, weight and richness compared to the '01 Clos de Bèze (see herein) on the moderately structured but overtly mineral-inflected middle weight plus flavors that are buffered by ample dry extract before culminating in a wonderfully long and still firm finale. As classic Chambertin goes, this is not especially massive but it is incredibly long and the intensity is simply breathtaking. To my taste this is still on the way up and while it could be enjoyed now if decanted for 30 minutes or so first, I would be inclined to hold it for another 5 to 8 years first. Drink 2021+

Superbly elegant in every respect with its stylish, astonishingly complex pinot fruit, marvelously intense, sappy, crushed panoply of red and black fruit flavors. As with the Chambertin, this is more of a medium weight effort underpinned by very fine tannins and palate staining length. This is the essence of Clos de Bèze as it is incredibly spicy and wonderfully seductive. This is extremely classy juice.