2019 Armand Rousseau Chambertin Grand Cru

Tasting Context

Handed around without fanfare at a Paulee luncheon in New York, this wine needed no introduction. As glasses were raised among seasoned collectors, the classic Rousseau perfume of violet and graphite filled the air. Throughout the meal, each course served only to validate its presence—by the end, it was unanimously agreed: this bottle was the best Chambertin of the last decade.

Wine Information

• Producer: Domaine Armand Rousseau

• Appellation: Chambertin Grand Cru

• Vintage: 2019

• Grape: 100% Pinot Noir

• Vinification: 100% destemmed, long maceration, aged in new François Frères oak

• Vineyard Holdings: 2.55 ha

• Alcohol: 13%

Vintage Overview – 2019: Power with Discipline

The class of 2019 in Burgundy is often likened to a blend of 2015’s generosity and 2016’s freshness—warm, rich, yet disciplined. In Gevrey-Chambertin specifically, the growing season saw mild winter, cool, nearly frost-free spring, and steady summer warmth, allowing for phenolic ripeness without sacrificing acidity whole across vineyards  .

Vineyards like Chambertin were harvested in the last week of September, slightly later than average, ensuring full maturity while retaining balanced acidity—evident in the wine’s 13% ABV and tight structural frame . Gevrey-Chambertin enjoyed minimal disease pressure, helping estates like Rousseau maintain low yields and extract deeply colored, concentrated fruit with cool-toned balance.

Winemaker Profile – From Armand to Cyrielle

Founded in 1909 by Armand Rousseau (who was among the first in Burgundy to estate‑bottle and export to the U.S.), the domaine notably acquired its Chambertin plots in 1943 & 1956.

His son, Charles Rousseau, took over in 1959, and doubled the estate holdings by buying plots in Clos de Bèze (1961), and Clos des Ruchottes (1971).

In 1982, Charles’s son Eric Rousseau joined and introduced modern viticulture—green harvesting, leaf thinning, mechanical tillage—while preserving traditional vinification and new oak regimes.

In 2014, Cyrielle Rousseau, after having harvest experience in Oregon, Australia, and New Zealand, joined full time. Since then, she has taken an increasingly central role in managing winemaking and marketing, while Eric transitions to a mentorship role  . Cyrielle describes their shared philosophy simply: “We do what we always do”—respectful, terroir-driven, and meticulously executed .

Today, Cyrielle stands as the active leader and steward, with Eric still involved but allowing the next generation to shape Rousseau’s future.

Tasting Notes

Appearance:

Rich ruby-purple, deep and vibrant, with youthful clarity and bright edges.

Nose:

• Layered—black cherry, cassis

• Violet, graphite, forest humus

• Hints of licorice, tea leaf, and sweet hoisin develop with time

Palate:

• Full-bodied and refined—hinging on a firm acid-muscle core

• Dense cassis and ripe plum with a mineral backbone of iron and stone

• Tannins are powdery, fine-grained, with coating grip

• Mid-palate echoes spice, darker fruits, and saline drive

Finish:

• Long, persistent, with an undercurrent of tobacco and graphite dust

• Leaves a lingering sense of tension and terroir—classic Rousseau structure

Overall Impression:

What surprised me most was how accessible and pleasurable this young Chambertin already is. Rousseau has managed to bottle something that speaks both to hedonists and purists—with rich, ripe fruit that caresses the palate while still tethered by structure and minerality. While its longevity is unquestioned, its immediate charm makes it unusually drinkable now.

Comparative Notes

While not tasted directly alongside, this Chambertin aligns with Rousseau’s other 2019 bottlings. It’s broader than Clos de Bèze’s early vibrancy and more structured—built for depth and cellaring  .

Market Commentary

Released at around €850–900 ex-cellar, 2019 Chambertin quickly doubled post-release. Today, bottles trade in the $3,000–3,500 USD range, similar to its comparatively rated vintages like 2016 and 2015.

From a collector’s perspective, there is modest but real upside. If its aging curve follows the trajectory of similarly heralded vintages like 2005 and 2010, which now trade in the $4,500–$5,000 range, the 2019 could well join them within the next decade. That makes it a candidate for strategic cellaring, though it’s far from a speculative flip in the short term.

The Wolf Call

If you’re fortunate enough to encounter the 2019 Rousseau Chambertin in the $2,000 range, don’t hesitate—buy for a long-term hold. This wine has the pedigree, balance, and early promise to go the distance. And if you ever see it on a restaurant list? Pounce. Even in its youth, it delivers a complete and thrilling experience—rare for a wine of this age.