Both the Chambertin-Clos de Beze and Chambertin are more closed, deeper-colored wines than the outstanding Gevery-Chambertin-Clos St.-Jacques. It is often difficult to pick a favorite, but I thought the Chambertin-Clos de Beze to be lower in acidity and more forward. I would suggest cellaring it for 3-4 years, and I am sure it has at least 15 or more years of aging potential. The nose offers up roasted black-cherry and toasty new oak scents. In the mouth, there is outstanding concentration, full body, and a long, rich, moderately tannic finish.
At the top level, Rousseau consistently produces three profound wines - Gevrey-Chambertin-Clos St.-Jacques (as good as most producer's grands crus), Chambertin-Clos de Beze, and Chambertin. That being said, I remain perplexed as to why Rousseau's other wines are so surprisingly light and fluid. While good, sometimes very good, they are markedly inferior to his top three wines. Never one to jump on the bandwagon for forward, super-ripe vintages, (he still believes 1983 is the finest vintage of the eighties), Rousseau is unpersuaded by the acclaim bestowed on 1990.
Importer: Frederick Wildman, New York, NY.