Armand Rousseau - Chambertin 'Clos de Bèze' Grand Cru 1986

Armand Rousseau – Chambertin 'Clos de Bèze' Grand Cru 1986

Overview

The winery

The Domaine Armand Rousseau is one of the most famous and iconic wineries in Burgundy and is often described as the best-known winery in Gevrey-Chambertin. The domain was founded in 1902 by Armand Rousseau, who inherited numerous vineyard plots in the commune of Gevrey-Chambertin. Over the years, the family acquired further Grand Cru plots, including Clos de la Roche, Mazis-Charmes and, finally, in 1943, Chambertin itself.

Today, the estate is run by the third generation of the family, Eric Rousseau, who joined the team in 1982 and has since pursued a consistently traditional, yet innovative approach to winemaking. Armand Rousseau’s wines are renowned for their typical Burgundian elegance, finesse and authentic expression of the terroir.

The vineyard: Chambertin-Clos de Bèze

The Clos de Bèze is the oldest and historically most significant vineyard in Gevrey-Chambertin. It once belonged to the monks of Bèze Abbey. Domaine Armand Rousseau owns two plots within the Clos, which together cover 1.42 hectares. The larger plot is situated in the upper part of the appellation.

The terroir consists of clay and limestone soils and faces east. The wines from the Clos de Bèze are considered somewhat more refined and subtle than those of the neighbouring Chambertin, with which they are often compared. Clos de Bèze combines concentration with great finesse and is regarded as one of the most impressive expressions of Pinot Noir.

Tasting notes & character

Nose

Robert Parker described the nose of the 1986 Clos de Bèze as ‘wonderfully forward, sweet, smoky, perfumed and fruity’ with distinct new oak in the background. The aromas are complex and inviting, with a seductive richness of scent.

Palate

On the palate, the wine displays a full-bodied and velvety, very fine structure. The range of flavours is dominated by black fruits and oriental spices. The wine combines concentration with elegance and offers an impressive structure.

Overall impression

The 1986 Chambertin-Clos de Bèze from Armand Rousseau was describedby Robert Parker as the ‘star of the 1986 vintage’. It is a complex, great wine that masterfully combines concentration and finesse.

Drinking window & ageing potential

The wine reached its optimal drinking window between 1990 and 1998. With ideal storage conditions, it unfolds its full potential after 15 to 30 years of ageing. The 1986 vintage is now (as of 2026) more than four decades old – a wine at an advanced stage of maturity that is of great interest to lovers of mature Burgundies.

Food pairings

This Grand Cru pairs superbly with robust, flavourful dishes such as:

• Bœuf Bourguignon

• Coq au vin

• Roast partridges stuffed with Puy lentils

Market & Availability

The 1986 Armand Rousseau Chambertin-Clos de Bèze is now a rare collector’s wine. At auctions, cases are tradedat estimated prices of around 3,500 to 5,500 US dollars per case of three bottles. The bottles are often found with signs of wear (labelled, stained, capsule cut), which reflects the age and rarity of the wine.

Conclusion

The Armand Rousseau Chambertin ‘Clos de Bèze’ Grand Cru 1986 is an outstanding example of Burgundian Pinot Noir from a legendary vineyard. With a Parker score of 90 points and an average rating of 92/100, it ranks among the finest wines of its vintage. It combines the typical Rousseau elegance with the distinctive finesse of the Clos de Bèze terroir and is an impressive testament to the artistry that has been cultivated at Domaine Armand Rousseau for over 100 years.