2016 Domaine Armand Rousseau, Gevrey-Chambertin, Clos du Chateau

The 2016 Gevrey-Chambertin Clos du Château was not tasted at the domaine, but at a private La Paulée, where the owner Louis Ng poured this wine. I include it here for convenience. It has a bright red cherry and crushed strawberry nose laced with orange zest that leaps from the glass. The palate is very well balanced and harnesses the succulence and intensity of the vintage. It might be a village cru, but that does not stop it from exhibiting exuberance and vigor on the finish. Just delicious.

Medium red. Very ripe aromas of candied raspberry and flowers. At once dense and juicy, with a captivating high-toned quality to its exotic red berry fruit. Finishes with very smooth tannins. Not a minerally style but notably easygoing.

Bursting from the glass with an expressive and fruit-driven bouquet of red berries, plums and peonies, the 2016 Gevrey-Chambertin Clos du Château is medium to full-bodied, open-knit and charming, with an ample core of moderately concentrated fruit, succulent acids and melting tannins. This is a supple, giving Gevrey in contrast to Rousseau's more serious, age-worthy historic communal cuvée.

Made since 2012 but need to do more work on the vines. Rich, heady nose. All accessible pleasure! Transparent and lively with lovely top notes. Pretty wine with lots of persistence. (JR)