May 3, 2024 - On Wednesday night I was gripped by a kind of madness. I blame a surprisingly good morning in courtus interruptus and then managing to catch up with all the missed time in the afternoon. In this febrile atmosphere I decided to mix socially with my alleged, fellow humans.
Gripping a small box of wine, steak and cheeses I descended on my host. They cooked and I drank and it was verging on being a manageable event. We opened 4 bottles, all of exemplary quality and this was the star of a very good night.
My bottle was fully mature, tannins resolved but primary fruit still evident - blue fruits and some darker beasties moving into wine gum (a product of the warm vintage?). Silky palate, great length and some complexity - earth, dark chocolate to match the fruit. Neither of my hosts really know much of wine, but they like it and one of them loved this. His wife, a very bright but rather functional creature, preferred the Eva Fricke Riesling. I leave it at that.
I am pleased to say that I woke up next day feeling fantastic and my hosts were, apparently, hung over; more fool them. Always temper your guzzling with water and a healthy fear of alcohol. A tribute to this wine is that it helped them break the iron grip of routine on their determinedly humdrum lives. If Zola were writing today, I do believe they might feature. Doubtless I would also appear, as the loathsome, sybaritic fool.
August 22, 2023 - Gevrey doesn't get much better than this. Even in a site that is not truly Grand cru, in Rousseau's hands, this wine was ethereal. It had the muscle of the site, the richness of his deep, soil, hand, and an amazing array of complexity that emphasized dark red flowers, rich, dark, red cherry, and a hint of cranberry, and a bit of the briar tone appropriate for.Cazeteirs
August 20, 2023 - Cork, barely stained.
Bright, mid garnet. Complex aromas of red and blue berries, autumn leaves, florals, spice. It’s harmonious and balanced, and so pure. The intensity is almost delicate. Tannins are tucked in nicely. Drinks so well now.
November 26, 2022 - Located just outside the walls of the illustrious Clos St. Jacques, Rousseau’s old-vine 2009 Cazetiers is fabulous tonight showing serious power, intensity and concentration, yet remaining impeccably balanced and detailed. It’s super expressive and aromatic with deep layers of ripe dark fruit, tea leaves, violets and exotic spice. The palate is pure silk with balanced acids, vibrant energy and a mineral laced finale that keeps on going. Just ~10 cases of Cazetiers are imported to the US per vintage. Special wines…
July 9, 2022 - At Jean Imbert in the Plaza Athenee. The meal was outstanding, 3 star quality, and this wine didn't miss a beat. It was in a very old school burgundy style, elegant, not huge extract. Great nose, complex in mouth, long finish. Reminded me of a Truchot, which is high praise indeed in my book --similar style. I have had very few wines by Rousseau, but this was a real winner. It was young but very drinkable, should continue to improve in the bottle for many years.
February 12, 2022 - 2009 Armand Rousseau Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru les Cazetiers
You can definitely sense the warm vintage here with intense red fruit at the forefront with the spice and game elements taking the backseat. Very good wine, with great structure but since my first ever Rousseau was the Clos de Beze, it’s difficult to compare!
July 31, 2021 - Pure silk and ultra lux texture. It shows serious power and intensity with the ripeness of the vintage evident in its concentrated dark fruit flavors, but it never becomes out of balance and its vibrant and lifted acidity and mineral inflicted finish keep everything harmonious. Of the Rousseau repertoire, Cazetiers is what least makes it to the US so it’s always a special treat to try.
April 9, 2021 - Succulent and delicious. Certainly ripe but not overdone, simply very drinkable.
October 17, 2020 - Indeed Rousseau! A delicious and ultra sophisticated Gevrey 1ere that screams refinement and rich soil. This is not, of course, the Lavaux, so some measure of reality is necessary to appreciate the wonderful but not other worldly experience. The mythical status that catapulted his lesser wines from $50 to $400 is a market reality, so one must evaluate the stature based upon a tiny cadre of small producers like Jayer or Fourrier whose limited output and exceptional rich extraction of their terroir stand above most. Medium red color with a hint of aging red tawny hue, a somewhat closed nose after 90 minutes decanted, and a superb flow on the palate with red cherry, dark cherry, strawbwrry, tart cherry, sous bois, moist earth and a character all its own. I would hold for 1-2 years at least.
September 20, 2020 - Only 10 cases of Cazetiers imported into US according to Frederic Wildman. Exhilarating concentration and purity. Rich and impeccably structured, speaking to the vintage. Initial reduction dissipates to reveal ripe dark fruits, fallen leaves and exotic spices, all supported by a mineral backbone. Finishes with outstanding length, lift, power and intensity. Tremendous showing. If you have this bottle, give it a 2 hour decant.