1995 Domaine Armand Rousseau Chambertin Grand Cru

The 1995 Chambertin Grand Cru has a very aromatic bouquet with layers of feisty red fruit, rose petal and a soupçon of peppermint. This remains quite backward compared to other vintages. The palate is well-balanced with impressive weight and concentration. Muscular if compared next to the 1993, albeit without the same level of complexity or personality. I feel this would benefit from another two or three years in bottle. Tasted at the Rousseau Chambertin vertical at La Vienne.

For some reason, this 1995 Chambertin is not quite firing on all cylinders, even though it is a lovely wine. It has a seductive bouquet with Morello, strawberry, a light marine influence and hints of Provencal herbs filtering through with time, though never quite achieving the bravura performance of the 1996 (for example.) The palate has a very fine lattice of tannins and perfect acidity, moderate weight in the mouth with beguiling symmetry, yet there is not the density of nobility of the succeeding vintage from Rousseau. Don’t feel guilty popping the cork now, but of course there is another ten years of pleasure for those who prefer to wait.