Armand Rousseau - Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru 1985

Armand Rousseau – Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 1985

1. Introduction & Background

The Domaine Armand Rousseau was founded in 1902 by Armand Rousseau, who, as a young adult, inherited several plots in Gevrey-Chambertin. Over the years, he acquired further Grand Crus such as Clos de la Roche, Mazis-Charmes and Chambertin. In 1954, he purchased the Premier Cru Clos-Saint-Jacques for his son Charles. Today, the 15-hectare estate is managed by Eric Rousseau, the founder’s grandson, who has been assisted by his daughter Cyrielle since 2014.

The Charmes-Chambertinvineyard is situated on the outskirts of the village of Morey-Saint-Denis and produces a slightly softer, more supple wine than the appellation’s other Grand Crus. The Rousseau interpretation of Charmes-Chambertin is no exception here – it combines density with wonderful ageing potential and is regarded as a wine of immense elegance and velvety texture.

The 1985 vintage is regarded as one of the great classic Burgundy vintages – a vintage that has reached its peak after more than 40 years in the bottle and can now be enjoyed in all its splendour.

2. Tasting notes

Bouquet (Nose)

After more than four decades, the nose of the 1985 Charmes-Chambertin has developedalmost entirely into tertiary aromas:

• Forest floor & undergrowth: Dominant sous-bois notes, earth and delicate gamey aromas

• Spices: Spicy hints and delicate peppery notes

• Fruit: Vivid red fruit aromas (raspberry, cranberry), partly with hints of orange zest

• Minerality: Good mineral depth and definition

The nose is describedas ethereal with excellent definition – a bouquet of ethereal elegance.

Palate

On the palate, the wine reveals its perfect maturity:

• Body: Medium-bodied, on the lighter side for the vintage

• Texture: Velvety, supple and silky smooth – the tannins are fully integrated

• Aromas: Rich, precise aromas with good minerality; notes of white pepper and clove

• Balance: Outstanding acidity structure; no longer powerful, but with captivating harmony and focus

• Finish: Excellent length with a soft, full-bodied texture that spreads across the senses

Special features

The wine is no longer particularly powerful, but captivates with its breathtaking elegance and grace. The alcohol content is 13%. In colour, it displays a lighter hue than more recent vintages, with visible degradation at the rim.

3. Overview of critics’ ratings

Further reviews of other Rousseau wines from the 1985 vintage also achieved top marks (e.g. 93 points for the Chambertin).

4. Drinking window & maturity

The 1985 Charmes-Chambertin has reached its peak and is now at the perfect stage of maturity:

• Current condition: Fully matured, tannins completely integrated, tertiary aromas dominate

• Drinking window: Now until 2030+ – the wine has reached its peak but will remain at this level for several more years

• Distinctive feature: Compared to the powerful Chambertin, the Charmes-Chambertin is smoother and more approachable

Important note: The wine performs at its best when bottled with a good fill level and stored under ideal conditions (professional temperature- and humidity-controlled storage). Variations in fill level can significantly impair the quality.

5. Price & Availability

The 1985 Charmes-Chambertin from Armand Rousseau is a rare collector’s item and is only available sporadically on the market:

Note: Prices vary considerably depending on the condition of the bottle (level, label, capsule) and provenance. The wine is virtually unavailable on the open market.

6. Conclusion

The 1985 Armand Rousseau Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru is a consummate Burgundy at the zenith of its maturity. With top ratings of 97 points (Vinous) and 96 points (Burghound), it ranks among the great classic Rousseau vintages.

Strengths:

• Breathtaking elegance and harmony

• Fully integrated, velvety tannins

• Complex, tertiary-driven bouquet

• Perfectly matured for drinking

Character:

• Smoother and more approachable than the monumental Chambertin

• Emphasises finesse and grace rather than sheer power

• A wine of immense distinction and velvety texture

For collectors and connoisseurs of great Burgundies, this wine is a highlight of Rousseau’s artistry – a wine which, after more than 40 years, reveals its full greatness in the perfect balance between power and elegance. Anyone lucky enough to find a well-preserved bottle should waste no time: the 1985 Charmes-Chambertin is now at its peak and ready to be enjoyed.

This report is based on reviews from Vinous (Neal Martin) and Burghound (Allen Meadows), as well as auction and retailer information (as at 2026).