Armand Rousseau : Gevrey-Chambertin 1er cru "Clos Saint-Jacques" 2019

Tasting Advice for the Clos Saint-Jacques 2019 from Armand Rousseau

Tasting

Color

The wine is expected to display a deep ruby to garnet hue, consistent with the intensity and concentration announced on the nose and palate.

Nose

The nose is powerful and dramatic, revealing dark and red fruit aromas of black currant, plum, cherry and raspberry, layered with grilled meat, dark chocolate, exotic spice and damp earth notes. New oak brings a cedary, toasty dimension that frames the fruit without overpowering it.

Palate

The palate is medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a layered and elegantly muscular structure built around a core of ripe fruit. Powdery tannins and bright acidity provide energy and precision, leading to a long, persistent and harmonious finish.

Food and Wine Pairings

This wine pairs beautifully with rack of lamb, duckling with cherries, or roasted young hare. More broadly, it suits richly flavored roasted or grilled meats and game birds, especially when accompanied by fruit-based reductions or lightly spiced sauces.

Serving and Cellaring

The Clos Saint-Jacques 2019 benefits from decanting to allow its aromatic layers to unfold. It is best served at a temperature of around 16 to 18°C (61-64°F). This wine may be enjoyed now but will continue to evolve for several decades, with an estimated drinking window extending to around 2050.

The Estate

Armand Rousseau is a family-owned estate created in the early twentieth century in Gevrey-Chambertin, Burgundy, now spanning 15.33 hectares across Gevrey-Chambertin and Morey-Saint-Denis. Today it is led by Eric Rousseau, third generation, working alongside his daughter Cyrielle, who represents the fourth generation. The estate is celebrated for its pioneering role in domaine-bottling and export, and for its exceptional holdings in prestigious climats such as Chambertin, Chambertin Clos de Bèze and Clos Saint-Jacques, farmed with increasingly organic practices and moderate yields.

The Vineyard

The Clos Saint-Jacques climat lies in the Gevrey-Chambertin appellation, on a south-east facing slope cooled by the nearby Combe Lavaux. The soils are stony and fertile, combining marl rich in ostrea acuminata at the top, crinoidal Bajocian limestone at mid-slope, and Prémeaux limestone at the base. Armand Rousseau owns roughly one third of this climat, around 2.21 hectares, farmed with green harvesting, leaf thinning and mechanical soil work, without insecticides or chemical inputs.

The Vintage

2019 was a generally warm and dry growing season in Burgundy, favoring high ripeness levels in the grapes. Careful vineyard management allowed the fruit to retain sufficient freshness and acidity despite the warmth, resulting in a vintage marked by rich aromatic concentration alongside balanced structure.

Winemaking and Aging

Armand Rousseau follows a traditional winemaking approach with minimal intervention, allowing the Clos Saint-Jacques 2019 to express its terroir with precision. The wine is aged in oak barrels, including a significant portion of new wood, lending cedary and toasty nuances that integrate progressively with the fruit over time.

Grape Variety

100% Pinot Noir.