Chambertin Clos de Bèze Grand Cru 2016

Domaine Armand Rousseau


Terroir: Clos de Bèze was originally planted by the monks of the Abbey of Bèze in 630. Bordering Le Chambertin to the south, Mazis to the north and La Chapelle Chambertin directly below, Clos de Bèze encompasses 36+ acres facing east along the middle to upper slopes of the hillside. Domaine Rousseau’s fruit is sourced from both from Petit Clos de Bèze and the upper parcels of Clos de Bèze in shallow, dry soils marked with limestone.

Vinification: Grapes are meticulously sorted as they arrive in the winery. Following a cool maceration the must travels by gravity into barrel where it will stay for the entire vinification process lasting typically 18-24 months. Each Armand Rousseau wine is blended unfiltered.

The U.S. market receives less than 50 cases of this rare wine. Please contact your local FWS rep for availability.

Additional Information

It is a complex wine with a deep color and great length in the mouth. The aromatic palette is very rich and delicate with a dominant of black berries and oriental spices. Vin all velvety and finesse.

Technical Details

  • Appellation: Chambertin
  • Winemaker: Eric Rousseau
  • Sustainability: Sustainable Practices
  • Soil: Limestone, clay
  • Vineyard Acreage: 35 actres total
  • Alcohol: 13%
  • Sizes Available: 6/750, 3/1.5
  • Varietals: 100% Pinot Noir

Recent Press

  • Score: 95 Points

    Vinous Author: Neal Martin
    Date: Thursday, October 10, 2019
    "The 2016 Chambertin Clos-de-Bèze Grand Cru is a little subdued on the nose with delineated red cherry, crushed strawberry and crushed stone aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannin, fresh and mineral-driven, almost Ruchottes-like in style with just a small attenuation towards the finish. Very fine, if not quite delivering the substance you might have expected. Tasted blind at the 2016 Burgfest tasting."
  • Score: 97 Points

    Wine Spectator Online Author: Bruce Sanderson
    Date: Thursday, September 5, 2019
    "This is lush and harmonious, featuring kirsch, macerated cherry, blackberry, violet and spice flavors. A fruity style, with lively acidity and a heady finish. Impressive, yet approachable at this stage, with a solid grip of tannins emerging at the end. Best from 2021 through 2038. 67 cases imported."
  • Burghound Author: Allen Meadows
    Date: Wednesday, January 17, 2018
    "(90% new wood). Here too there is just enough wood in evidence to mention on the gorgeous spiced and intricately layered aromas of essence of red currant, floral, plum, earth and a whisper of the sauvage. Once again the mouthfeel of the notably more imposingly-scaled flavors is sleek with excellent minerality that really comes up on the super-saline finish that goes on and on. But what I really admire about the ’16 Bèze is the texture because it’s at once muscular yet highly seductive and refined. Impressive in every respect."
    Grade: 94-97 points
  • The Wine Advocate Author: Neal Martin
    Date: Friday, December 1, 2017
    "The 2016 Chambertin Clos de Bèze Grand Cru was showing just a little more reduction than the Chambertin this year, though it seems to dissipate and reveal profoundly complex dark berry and sous-bois scents, hints of truffle, bay leaf and clove. However, the palate clearly has more density and more robust tannins that together suggest it is endowed with greater longevity than the Chambertin. There is a crescendo of flavors here, remaining very focused, very intense with darker fruit fanning out on the finish that is akin to major chord thundering from a grand piano. This is an aristocratic, blue-blooded Clos de Bèze that deserves a decade in the cellar, within touching distance of the imperious 2015 Clos de Bèze."
    Grade: 97-99 points

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