2001 Domaine Armand Rousseau Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru

($172) Deep red. Exotic, sappy aromas of redcurrant, cherry, coffee and minerals; the most primary of these 2001s up to this point. Juicy, penetrating and perfumed in the mouth, with red berry, mineral and coffee flavors nicely framed by ripe acidity. Silky, sexy wine with lovely lingering back-end perfume. Still youthfully tight, and in need of five or six years of additional aging.

Author: Stephen Tanzer

Issue: March/April 2004

Curiously, this most recent bottle was not at all like the one that I tried in 2006 because while there was a trace of wood, it was not displaying nearly as much as the prior bottle. The stylish and still astonishingly complex nose reflects all of the elegance and broad-ranging spice that is typical of a classic Rousseau Beze. The middle weight flavors remain marvelously intense with a sappy and quite beautifully detailed finish that is still moderately yet finely structured. As originally noted, this is more of a medium weight effort underpinned by sophisticated tannins and impressive length. While it will age for years on its balance, after an hour of air, it is certainly becomes enjoyable though this most recent bottle suggests that a few more years of cellar time would be warranted.

Author: Allen Meadows

Lively crimson. Scented nose, very round. Intensely perfumed. Very heady. Slightly sinewy on the palate. Second bottle even fresher and fruitier and more vivacious.

Author: Jancis Robinson

Issue: 39092