Domaine Armand Rousseau Clos de la Roche Grand Cru 2018

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€749.19

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Domaine Armand Rousseau Clos de la Roche Grand Cru 2018

Domaine Armand Rousseau Clos de la Roche Grand Cru 2018 is produced in Morey-Saint-Denis (Côte de Nuits), the Domaine's only AOC outside Gevrey-Chambertin. Founded in 1902 and now run by Éric Rousseau and the 4th generation, Cyrielle, the Domaine cultivates 1.48 hectares here with eastern exposure. The limestone and clay-limestone soil of Jurassic origin hides, at about 30 cm, large blocks of stone that help to mark the character of this ‘Clos’. Two parcels were acquired in 1920–21 and 1975; it has been a Grand Cru since 1936. 2018 was a hot and dry year in Burgundy, with grapes in excellent health. In the reds, it produced wines with concentrated fruit, structure and balance, with a clear vocation for ageing.

Vinification: Careful viticulture (Guyot pruning, low yields) and a classic approach: mostly destemmed (≈90%), long fermentation/maceration in open vats with pumping over, gentle pressing and subsequent malolactic fermentation and ageing in oak barrels to refine texture and depth.

Tasting Notes: According to the producer, it is ‘mineral and vibrant’, with a long, firm and very consistent palate. For fans of great terroir Pinot Noir, it is worth keeping for at least 10 years. Decanting helps in its youth.

Grape Varieties: Pinot Noir

Wine Type: Red Wine
Format: 0,75L
Vintage: 2018
Country: France
The highest scoring: Jancis Robinson 18 to 19.5
Robert Parker: 94
Jancis Robinson: 19
Decanter: 96
Vinious: 92

The 2018 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru is an excellent wine in the making, wafting from the glass with a complex bouquet of red berries, orange rind, raw cocoa, rich soil tones and grilled meats that's framed by a discrete application of cedary oak. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, deep and impressively racy, with lively acids, powdery tannins and a long, resonant finish.

Seems to show a little more darkness of oak spice and be less bright fruited than the Mazis. Dark imposing power and massive concentration on the palate though the fruit is sweeter than I expected in the mouth. Still a firm, deep, seriously handsome devil. Sweet at heart but strong and well built. Depth, length and with firm tannins that are massive rather than grainy.

There are two parcels of Clos de la Roche chez Rousseau, one high and one low, making 1.48ha in total. At 20%, this has a little more oak than it usually does and is more marked by it at this stage in its development. But give it time for the succulent raspberry and red cherry fruit to emerge. The tannins are typically silky, while the acidity brings balance to the floral finish.

The 2018 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru has an intriguing, involving bouquet, a mixture of red and blue fruit that is a little disjointed at first but coheres nicely with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent tannins, plenty of red fruit and a fleshy, silky finish. Very fine.

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