Armand Rousseau - Chambertin 'Clos de Bèze' Grand Cru 1989

Armand Rousseau – Chambertin 'Clos de Bèze' Grand Cru 1989

Overview

The winery

Domaine Armand Rousseau is one of Burgundy’s most famous and iconic estates. The domaine was founded in 1902 by Armand Rousseau, who inherited numerous vineyard plots in Gevrey-Chambertin. In the decades that followed, the family acquired further Grand Cru plots, including Chambertin itself in 1943. Charles Rousseau joined the estate in 1945 and expanded exports, particularly to Europe, North America, Australia and, from the 1970s onwards, to Asia. In 1982, Eric Rousseau, Charles’s son, joined the team and introduced sustainable viticultural techniques such as green harvesting and leaf removal, whilst at the same time adhering to traditional, gentle winemaking methods. Armand Rousseau’s wines are renowned for their Burgundian elegance, finesse and authentic expression of terroir.

The vineyard: Chambertin-Clos de Bèze

The Clos de Bèze is the oldest and historically most significant vineyard in Gevrey-Chambertin. The monks of Bèze Abbey had owned it since the year 630. Domaine Armand Rousseau acquired its first plot in the Clos de Bèze in 1961 (first vintage 1962) and purchased the neighbouring plot in 1989.

The terroir consists of clay and limestone soils with an easterly aspect. The wines from the Clos de Bèze are considered somewhat finer and more subtle than those of the neighbouring Chambertin and combine concentration with great elegance. The grapes for the 1989 vintage come from both the Petit Clos de Bèze and the Clos de Bèze itself.

Tasting notes & character

Nose

The nose is substantial, very full-bodied and expressive, with aromas of blackberries, Pinot extract, game and earth. Neal Martin described it as “meaty: gravy from a Sunday roast mixed with BBQ sauce! So complex and decadent”. The colour is a deep garnet red with a narrow tawny rim.

Palate

On the palate ,the wine displays brilliant balance with a freshness that most Bordeaux wines can only dream of. Notes of toffee and cooked meat characterise the flavour profile. The wine is concentrated, full-bodied, slightly spicy and with good structure. It combines intense, complex aromas with great length and Grand Cru finesse. Some tasters describe it as ‘rustic’ with slightly astringent tannins and a hint of green notes, which, however, make it all the more interesting.

Overall impression

The 1989 Chambertin-Clos de Bèze from Armand Rousseau is describedby Neal Martin as “exotic, rich and complex – certainly one of the finest Chambertins I have ever tasted”. It combines concentration with finesse and is regarded as one of the most inspiring expressions of Pinot Noir. The wine is “Burgundy at its very best”.

Critics’ reviews in detail

Drinking window & ageing potential

The wine reached its optimal drinking window after 15 to 30 years of ageing. The community drinking window is given as 2004 to 2020. Most critics recommend enjoying the wine now, as it is at the peak of its maturity but still has sufficient tannins to allow for a few more years’ ageing.

At the 2022 tasting ,the wine was awarded 97 points and described as a ‘wonderful mature Burgundy’ that should be uncorked now.

Food pairings

This Grand Cru pairs superbly with:

• duck, goose and game birds

• Hearty meat dishes

• Salads (as an accompaniment to a mature Burgundy)

Market & Availability

The 1989 Armand Rousseau Chambertin-Clos de Bèze is now an extremely rare collector’s wine. Prices and auction results (as at 2026):

The bottles often showsigns of wear ,such as slightly soiled, scuffed or dented labels, which reflect the wine’s age and rarity.

Conclusion

The Armand Rousseau Chambertin ‘Clos de Bèze’ Grand Cru 1989 is an outstanding example of Burgundian Pinot Noir from one of the world’s most legendary estates. With ratings ranging from 92 to 99 points, it ranks among the finest wines of an exceptional vintage. It combines the typical Rousseau elegance with the distinctive finesse of the Clos de Bèze terroir and is now at the peak of its maturity. For lovers of great Burgundies, this wine offers an iconic and unforgettable tasting experience – if you can still find it.