Reviews & Scores
The expressive nose has always retained its genuinely stunning aromatic complexity and even with 14 years of age the still mostly primary black and red pinot fruit scents that are mixed with violets, dried rose petals and pungent soil notes display only the first hints of secondary development. There is a bit more size, weight and richness compared to the '01 Clos de Bèze (see herein) on the moderately structured but overtly mineral-inflected middle weight plus flavors that are buffered by ample dry extract before culminating in a wonderfully long and still firm finale. As classic Chambertin goes, this is not especially massive but it is incredibly long and the intensity is simply breathtaking. To my taste this is still on the way up and while it could be enjoyed now if decanted for 30 minutes or so first, I would be inclined to hold it for another 5 to 8 years first.
BH94
The 2001 Rousseau Chambertin is quite closed today, but with all of its regal potential fully evident even at such a young age. This wine evolved beautifully over the hour that we drank it, seemingly showing a different snapshot of its different elements every ten or fifteen minutes. The nose offers up a refined mélange of red cherries, strawberries, plums, coffee, grilled meats, cocoa powder, minerals, fresh thyme, violets and cedar. On the palate the wine is fullish and still quite tight, with outstanding acidity currently reigning in the depth of fruit that one can still sense in the mid-palate, and with a long, ripely tannic and soil-driven finish that blossoms beautifully in a peacock’s tail. This is a great vintage of Rousseau Chambertin in the making, with striking transparency and intensity of flavor. All it needs is time in the cellar.
JG96
Relatively pale ruby. Quite limpid. Very pale rim. Sumptuous nose and a sense of great relaxation. Though there is dimension and concentration here too. Great heady sweetness on the nose. Still much more tightly wound on the palate than the nose. Lots still to come out clearly and masses of fine tannins but for the moment it’s the nose that has evolved. Lovely undertow and length. Mid to heavy palate weight. My fellow tasters say that another bottle of this wine tasted more evolved a few days ago. Lots of sweet fruit. Sweetened up in the glass.
JR19+/20
Tasted alongside the 2001 Clos Saint Jacques, the 2001 Chambertin Grand Cru possesses an ethereal, floral bouquet of raspberry jam, Morello cherries, minerals and undergrowth, gaining in intensity all the time in the glass. The palate is very natural and refined, in no way a powerful Chambertin, rather one of finesse, grace and purity. Divine.
WA95