Charles Rousseau

Charles Heidsieck

Brut Réserve Champagne Blend

Somm David T
9.2

Been awhile since I’ve had this one. Always consistently good.

Beautiful mousse, bruised red apple & Bosc pear, underripe pineapple flesh, blood orange, quince, nougat, hints of white peach, white spice-ginger, whipped cream, yeasty bread dough, sea spray, speckled chalk bits, grey volcanics, limestone, withering yellow lilies/flowers, crisp acidity, well tensioned-structured, well balanced and elegant finish that last two-minutes.

@BalancesRestaurant - Lucerne.
— 4 days ago

Juan, Jay and 12 others liked this

Domaine Armand Rousseau

Clos de la Roche Grand Cru Pinot Noir 1996

1996 Domaine Armand Rousseau Clos de la Roche Grand Cru

Clos de la Roche, situated in Morey-Saint-Denis, is the most renowned and the largest Grand Cru vineyard of the village. Its terroir is consequently exceptional, yielding wines with striking acidity, remarkable concentration, and a structure that is powerful yet displays extraordinarily refined tannins. It is often considered one of Burgundy's most compelling wines, masterfully combining power with elegance.

The style neither mirrors the robust, muscular, and overtly powerful character typical of its northern neighbour, Gevrey-Chambertin, nor does it precisely replicate the extreme perfume, elegance, and delicacy that define its southern neighbour, Chambolle-Musigny. Instead, Clos de la Roche is the quintessential synthesis of strength and finesse—boasting a solid backbone alongside intricate depth of aroma and texture. Thanks to its pronounced acidity, one should not open a bottle without allowing for at least 15 years of ageing.

Upon opening, after 30 minutes the nose offered aromas of ripe black cherry, wild strawberry, sour plum, rose, and violet. After an hour, further notes of truffle, forest floor, leather, and spice developed. However, the minerality I expected remained elusive.

The bottle's condition was unfortunately not optimal. It lacked the sustained aromatic evolution and explosive bouquet I had anticipated. This fatigue and muted character were likely a result of its shipment from the United States.
— a month ago

Buisson-Charles

Vieilles Vignes Meursault Chardonnay 2022

2022 vintage. Less tied down to the traditional Meursault stylings and just going for it. Light-medium body. Moments of beauty. Moments of leanness and linear qualities. Lemon curd and (subdued) tangerine two driving forces in the flavor profile. Plenty of acidity without tippling/tipping over the edge. 10.8.25. — a day ago

Ted, Ruud and 6 others liked this

Charles Krug

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Charles Krug – Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Napa Valley, California – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
The 2017 vintage of their Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is crafted primarily from estate fruit across valley-floor vineyards, showing an approachable and structured style. This wine is a classic Cabernet Sauvignon with small supporting portions of Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Franc to round it out.

Aromas & Flavors
Black cherry, plum, and blackberry are joined by subtle layers of cedar, tobacco, and baking spice. Hints of mocha and graphite emerge as the wine opens, bringing complexity without overshadowing the ripe fruit core.

Mouthfeel
Medium to full-bodied, with polished tannins and a backbone of balanced acidity. The mid-palate is rich and velvety, while the finish lingers with dark fruit, oak spice, and a whisper of minerality.

Winemaking Notes
Aged 18 months in French oak (about 35% new), this wine is a balance of tradition and modern winemaking. Charles Krug continues to champion elegance over excess, and the 2017 vintage shows restraint despite Napa’s warm growing conditions.

Food Pairing
Pairs beautifully with grilled ribeye, beef short ribs, or roasted portobello mushrooms. Aged gouda or firm sheep’s milk cheeses also complement its depth and structure.

Verdict
A polished, reliable Napa Cabernet that honors Charles Krug’s heritage while delivering a style accessible to today’s wine drinkers. The 2017 is drinking beautifully now, with enough structure to cellar for a few more years.
— 24 days ago

Ted and Andrew liked this

Domaine Armand Rousseau

Chambertin Clos de Bèze Grand Cru Pinot Noir 2012

Domaine Armand Rousseau Père & Fils Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru 2012

For my first time tasting Domaine Armand Rousseau Père & Fils Chambertin-Clos de Bèze, the sommelier said that if Chambertin is the King, then this wine, Clos de Bèze, is the Queen. The 2012 vintage is relatively easy to approach and didn't require a very long decanting time—two hours was sufficient.

The 2012 growing season was quite challenging, with a severe cold spring, but the summer was warm and hot. As a result, the fruit profile of this wine is quite expressive.

For the first hour, the reduction notes were very strong. It only started to open up in the second hour. The aroma is quite elegant. Since we were dining at a restaurant, the sommelier was very meticulous in controlling the temperature of the glassware, adjusting the wine's condition to a optimal state.

I didn't get very exuberant fruit notes. The overall state of the wine was restrained and elegant—like a lady around 30 years old. Not only is her beauty present, but there's also a feeling of poise and steadiness. Everything was in balance: the aromas, flavours, and acidity.

Notes of cherry, blackberry, liquorice sweetness, a hint of mint, and some dried flowers. There was a slightly creamy texture on the palate. The body was rounded but not quite what I would call voluptuous.

I didn't find any particularly stunning or breathtaking flavours or aromas. I can only say that this wine's performance was... correct. I had originally hoped for more complex layers, but unfortunately, I felt its expression was relatively simple, not very complex. It was just quite elegant and graceful.

This wine is exceedingly expensive. For a similar quality presentation, I believe there are other options at perhaps half the price that could deliver a comparable experience.
— a month ago

Domaine Armand Rousseau

Chambertin Grand Cru Pinot Noir 2012

Another stunning Chambertin from the Burgundy dinner in Sydney 6 weeks ago. An absolutely gorgeous nose. Interestingly 100% new oak but the powerful fruit just swallows it. A little Animale/Feral note which adds interest. The medium plus bodied palate shows a savoury and sinewy texture. This has got the lot and still with a long window up to the early 2040s. Surpassed the 2002 in my book. — 15 days ago

Peter, Shay and 35 others liked this
Severn G

Severn G Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Fantastic!!!
Ron R

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👀

Charles Wagner Family

Conundrum California Red Blend

Drank with pizza at home. Very good. — a month ago