To the true connoisseur, the name Armand Rousseau needs no introduction. It’s not merely a wine estate, it’s a cornerstone of Burgundy’s vinous heritage, a byword for purity, precision, and pedigree. For over a century, this storied domaine has sculpted Pinot Noir into something transcendent, sourcing from some of the Côte de Nuits’ most hallowed Grand and Premier Cru vineyards, think Chambertin, Clos de Bèze, Clos Saint-Jacques.
Historical Development
The domaine’s origins date to the early 1900s, when Armand Rousseau inherited vineyard plots in Gevrey-Chambertin. Through strategic acquisitions, including Mazis-Chambertin, Charmes-Chambertin, and Chambertin Clos de Bèze, Rousseau expanded the estate’s holdings and influence. Notably, he was among the first in Burgundy to bottle and export his own wines, particularly to the United States following the end of Prohibition.
After Armand’s passing in 1959, his son Charles Rousseau took over management. Charles, leveraging his legal training and linguistic skills, significantly increased the domaine’s international presence and further expanded the vineyard portfolio. In the 1980s, Eric Rousseau joined the family business, introducing modern viticultural techniques while maintaining the estate’s traditional values. Today, Eric’s daughter, Cyrielle Rousseau, co-manages the domaine, ensuring the continuation of its legacy.
Vineyard Holdings and Signature Wines
Chambertin Clos de Bèze
With origins dating back to the 7th century and a monastic heritage, Chambertin Clos de Bèze is renowned for its perfumed, delicate wines. The vineyard’s warm microclimate contributes to a higher alcohol content and a distinctive character.
Chambertin
Chambertin’s original field, located south of Clos de Bèze, features limestone-over-gravel soils and benefits from cooling breezes. The domaine’s Chambertin is aged in new French oak, resulting in a wine of notable depth, elegance, and concentration. It remains one of the most coveted wines in Burgundy, available only by allocation.
Charmes-Chambertin
Situated downhill from Chambertin, Charmes-Chambertin is celebrated for its floral aromas and delicate fruit profile. Rousseau’s interpretation of this Grand Cru is recognized for its spicy complexity and aging potential.
Clos des Ruchottes
Acquired in 1976, Clos des Ruchottes is a walled monopole with pebbly, sun-exposed soils. The resulting wines are typically lightly colored, piquant, and silky.
Mazy-Chambertin
Rousseau’s small plot in Mazy-Chambertin produces structured Pinot Noir with firm tannins and ripe fruit, reflecting the vineyard’s robust style.
Premier Cru Sites
- Gevrey-Chambertin Clos Saint Jacques: Though classified as Premier Cru, this vineyard is often considered Grand Cru in quality.
- Gevrey-Chambertin Lavaux Saint Jacques: Known for its cool microclimate and late harvest, producing weighty, potent wines.
- Gevrey-Chambertin Les Cazetiers: Among the highest sites in Burgundy, yielding delicate, red-fruited wines.
Clos de la Roche
Located in Morey Saint Denis, Clos de la Roche is famed for dense, aromatic Pinot Noir with a muscular structure and complex spice notes.
Burgundy’s Role in the Fine Wine Market
Over the past decade, Burgundy wines have outperformed many other fine wine regions in terms of price appreciation and market resilience. According to Liv-ex, the global marketplace for fine wine, the Burgundy 150 index (which tracks the price performance of the most sought-after Burgundy wines) has seen significant growth, often surpassing the broader Liv-ex 1000 index and even traditional financial markets in certain periods.
For example, between 2015 and 2022, the Burgundy 150 index rose by over 120%, compared to a roughly 50% increase for the Bordeaux 500 over the same period.
