Domaine G. Roumier - Chambolle-Musigny 1983

Domaine Georges Roumier - Chambolle-Musigny 1983

(Appellation: Chambolle-Musigny Village, Côte de Nuits, Burgundy)

1983 vintage in Burgundy:

• A challenging vintage with a cool spring, wet summer and late frost damage.

• September rains led to the risk of rot, but disciplined domains (such as Roumier) harvested selectively.

• The wines are often medium-bodied with emphasised acidity, less concentrated than top vintages (e.g. 1985, 1990).

• Today (2025), intact bottles are extreme rarities - over 40 years of ageing require perfect storage.

Domaine Georges Roumier:

• Legendary status: Run by the Roumier family since the 1920s (now Christophe Roumier).

• Philosophy: Strict selection strategy, minimal intervention, long ageing in wood (18-24 months), emphasises elegance and terroir purity.

• The Chambolle-Musigny Village (approx. 0.5-1 ha of vines) classically represents the filigree, flowery style of the appellation.

Tasting profile (based on historical notes):

• Colour: Medium garnet red, probably with incipient orange colouring at the rim.

• Nose:
  - Ripe red fruits (dried cherries, cranberry),
  - tertiary aromas (leather, forest floor, truffle),
  - Roumier's typical florality (faded violets, rose),
  - Slight animal/damp notes(Brettanomyces?), typical of the era.

• Palate:
  - Medium-bodied, with surprising freshness (1983 acidity structure),
  - Tannins fully integrated, silky-soft,
  - flavours of ripe strawberry compote, tea leaves and sandalwood,
  - Moderate length (not a powerful wine), but complex and full of finesse.

Evaluation & potential:

• Peak: the wine probably reached its plateau in the 1990s/2000s.

• Current condition:
  - Intact bottles show charm and complexity, but are fragile.
  - Risk of decline (thin, acidic) or cork defects.
  - Perfectly stored examples are rare jewels for historical tastings.

• Comparison with Roumier today:
  Significantly less density/precision than modern vintages, but reflects the authentic signature of the domaine.

Conclusion:

The 1983 Roumier Chambolle-Musigny epitomises the poetry of old Burgundy in a difficult year. It surprises with its tenacity and elegance, but remains a wine for connoisseurs and historians.

• Recommendation:Only open if the provenance is impeccable - as a contemporary document. For drinking pleasure: favour younger Roumier vintages (e.g. 2015, 2017).

"A delicate, almost melancholic Chambolle - no fireworks, but a whisper from a bygone era." (Note from a 2015 tasting)

Note:Tastings of old wines vary greatly. This report summarises typical experiences. Actual ratings of individual bottles depend on storage and bottle condition.