98pts Jasper Morris

Clear bright crimson. The bouquet started out similar but then developed a further burst of red fruit with maybe a touch of blood orange. A rich dark fruit behind with a more savoury character, a fine tensile strength despite its Rousseau discretion, and very good length.

96pts Decanter

Although it is sometimes overlooked, the Clos de la Roche from Rousseau is a superb wine. Tasted with Cyrielle from barrel, it was initially a bit reduced and slightly closed, but it opens up with ripe plum and black cherry fruit on the palate underscored by a firm, earthy minerality. The texture is wonderfully dense and long. With nearly 1.5 hectares, Rousseau is the third-largest proprietor here, after Ponsot and Dujac. They have almost a hectare in Fremières and almost a half-hectare in the original Clos de la Roche. The grapes are destemmed and gently fermented before ageing in used casks.

95pts Burghound

There is just enough wood present to mention framing the spicy aromas of poached plum, warm earth and an array of floral nuances, especially violet and lilac. The gorgeously textured and punchy middleweight plus flavors also brim with dry extract on the firm, serious, youthfully austere and hugely long finale. This is potentially terrific with the development potential to match.

95pts Vinous

The 2022 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru has another pure bouquet not dissimilar to the Mazy-Chambertin at this stage. At the moment, however, I discern less complexity; it is a little more closed. The palate is more expressive with a svelte texture and a hint of dark chocolate tincturing the red fruit. Gentle grip, building discretely in the mouth, this finishes with real gusto. Excellent.

Winery Notes

Clos de la Roche sits at the northern boundary of the village of Morey-Saint-Denis and directly borders the Grand Crus of Gevrey-Chambertine. Domaine Armand Rousseau owns a little more than 3.5 acres of the 33 total acres under vine. Though just a stones throw from Chambertin this Grand Cru sits with a more southern exposure and mineral laiden soil, producing wines of great concentration and purity, typically maturing sooner than it’s neighbors to the north.