2003 Chambertin

Domaine Armand Rousseau is part of the gold standard for Burgundy lovers, especially in Hong Kong. Yesterday I tasted reds from his two top vineyards from the extremely hot vintage of 2003. I wasn't expecting to find truly great wines, but Rousseau's Chambertin was just that. It showed crazy aromas of shitake mushrooms and dried cherries and strawberries. It was full body with velvety tannins and a long and intense finish. Lots of fruit but not too much. It was so integrated and beautiful for the vintage. Drink or hold.

Mid crimson with more lively colour than the 2003. Quite heady and compost-like. Rich and round and velvety without being at all over the top. Smooth and sumptuous. Long and round. Really vibrant. I think this will be one of the exceptional 2003s which go on and on and on. (JR)

Medium red. Aromas of raspberry, minerals and smoked meat, with a positive earthy nuance. Dense and sweet, with a wonderfully silky, thick texture and solid mineral underpinning. This is thicker and broader than the Clos Saint-Jacques but more backward. Mounts slowly toward the back and builds impressively, finishing with a hint of medicinal austerity. This is quite fresh for the year, and the tannins are fine.