Domaine Armand Rousseau, Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru, 2021

Charmes-Chambertin is known as the most seductive of the Gevrey Grand Crus, and in the hands of Armand Rousseau, it becomes something even more precise—a Grand Cru of elegance over impact, where detail matters more than weight. The 2021 vintage plays right into that style. It’s a cooler, more classic year, which means the fruit is lifted and bright—red cherry, cranberry, rose petal, and sweet spice—with Rousseau’s signature silky texture and gentle structure holding it all together. It’s less about power, more about flow—a wine that feels like it’s gliding across the palate. This Charmes may be approachable earlier than Rousseau’s deeper Grand Crus like Chambertin or Clos de Bèze, but don’t mistake it for simple—there’s plenty of nuance and aging potential tucked into the fine tannins and stony finish. Drink in the next 5–15 years, with or without food (but if you're pairing: duck, roast chicken, or anything with mushrooms is ideal).