Chambertin, Domaine Armand Rousseau 1996

In its youth this possessed one of the most amazingly complex panoply of aromas that one could imagine and it’s still remarkably youthful and even today there is only a trace of secondary character on the ripe and ultra-fresh nose of various red berries, earth, bitter chocolate and anise hints. There is superb intensity to the full-bodied and keenly focused flavors that, like the ’96 Bèze are not especially dense but do lead to a beautifully textured finish that simply goes on and on and with no hint of dryness. Note that while this could certainly be enjoyed now at almost 20 years of age, I will continue to hold my small remaining stash for another 7 or so years first. Tasted multiple times with consistent notes. Drink 2023+

One of the greatest wines of the vintage with one of the most complex and stunning panoply of young pinot fruit aromas I have ever experienced. Still almost completely primary and pristine, with the same vinous purity yet even more elegance and intensity plus notes of ripe earth, bitter chocolate hints and anise. Superbly intense, full, sharply focused, big, broad and deep flavors that are not especially dense but lead to a finish that simply goes on and on. Classy juice and this rivals the '93 and the '91 for wines for the decade honors chez Rousseau. Simply terrific. Tasted multiple times with consistent notes.