Wine Advocate May, 2011

Rousseau’s 2008 Chambertin-Clos de Beze is off the charts. Textured and layered throughout, this exquisite, captivating wine graces the palate with endless fruit framed by silky, refined tannins. All of the elements build effortlessly to the dazzling, impeccably crafted finish. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2038.

Rousseau’s 2008 Chambertin-Clos de Beze is off the charts. Textured and layered throughout, this exquisite, captivating wine graces the palate with endless fruit framed by silky, refined tannins. All of the elements build effortlessly to the dazzling, impeccably crafted finish. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2038. I tasted the following wines with Frederic Robert, who works alongside Eric Rousseau. In 2009 Rousseau and his team began picking on September 7, the earliest in Gevrey. For the first time the estate used 20% whole clusters on all the wines except for Clos de la Roche, which was closer to 15%. The 2009s were scheduled to be bottled in April 2011. I also tasted a handful of 2008s that were deeply impressive. Importer: Frederic Wildman & Sons, New York, NY; tel. (212) 355-0700

Consistent tasting notes... explosive and gorgeously persistent finish. This is a really lovely '08 that should improve for out to two decades. Drink: 2020+
-Tasted: Jan 01, 2011. Burghound.com, Issue 41

(92-94 pts)
This is every bit as elegant as the Clos St. Jacques but even deeper and broader with incredibly complex and refined red berry fruit, plum and violet aromas that are relatively cool and are in keeping with the balanced, refined and mouth coating flavors that possess superb depth and excellent finishing intensity. There is a touch of acidity that pokes through on the finish but the underlying material here appears to be so strong that I am reasonably confident that this will harmonize before it's bottled. Drink: 2020+
-Tasted: Jan 30, 2010. Burghound.com, Issue 37

The 2008 Chambertin Clos-de-Bèze Grand Cru has an attractive leafy nose with touches of rooibos, Japanese black tea and light red berry fruit. The palate is well balanced with fine acidity, pretty tart, red berry fruit, not deep and lightly poised on the finish. This is a beautiful Clos-de-Bèze that is reaching its peak.

Good full red. Complex, deeply spicy aromas of black cherry, dark berries, flowers, pepper and menthol; hints at an almost exotic sweetness. Then impressively concentrated and rich, but with powerful acid lift giving the fruit and floral flavors a compelling high pitch. Wonderfully suave and stimulating wine with a building, very long finish that perfumes the palate. Much easier to enjoy today than the Chambertin but has the stuffing for a long evolution in bottle.