The 2002 Clos de la Roche Grand Cru has a well defined bouquet that strangely shows a little reduction at first. It gradually finds its feet, revealing dark cherries, bay leaf and touches of pine cone. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin. This feels meaty and quite savoury at 16 years of age. There is good depth and grip, although it does not quite deliver the complexity of other Rousseau 2002s on the finish (like the Clos St-Jacques.) Tasted at Sarah Marsh MW’s 2002 Red Burgundy tasting.

Flowers and red fruits can be detected in the aromatic profile of the 2002 Clos de la Roche. Exhibiting lovely depth and richness, this medium-bodied wine has a broad, silky-textured personality filled with black cherries and spice. Elegant, lush, and generous, it also reveals a lengthy, edge-free finish. Projected maturity: 2006-2016. Importer: Frederick Wildman & Sons tel (212) 230-0929

Deep red. Musky aromas of red fruits, pepper, brown spices and menthol. Sweet and pliant but bright, with a strong kernel of spice. Still a bit youthfully clenched, but the lingering finish features rather fine tannins. I'd give this three or four years in the cellar.