2013 - Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos Saint-Jacques, Sylvie Esmonin

Tasted blind at the Burgfest tasting in Beaune, the 2013 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos Saint-Jacques has a slightly reduced, quite savory bouquet with menthol notes filtering through the dark berry fruit, some new oak still present. The palate is medium-bodied with thickset, succulent tannin, moderate acidity, a little chewy in the mouth but with pleasing purity towards the finish. This is a full-on Clos Saint Jacques that will need several years in bottle. It's a bit muscular, but that is Sylvie's style, so be prepared to afford this a decade in bottle to get the best from it. Tasted September 2016.

60% whole bunch, 60% new oak. Final assemblage. Racked mid October and just had its first dose of sulphur. Very dark crimson purple. Very sumptuous nose. Rich and ripe and absolutely no excess of acidity. All plump fruit and freshness. Lots of concentration. But great balance. Great juice! (JR)