Gevrey Chambertin Clos Saint Jacques, Domaine Esmonin 2014

This is also markedly floral with more elegant aromas of spice, plum liqueur, mocha, earth and a hint of sandalwood. There is outstanding richness to the wonderfully vibrant and intense flavors where the underlying minerality is even more prominent while delivering simply terrific depth and length on the ever-so-slightly warm finale. This is also constructed to age but should be approachable young if desired as the supporting tannins are dense but much finer than those of the old vines cuvée.

Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2014 tasting, Esmonin's 2014 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos Saint-Jacques feels a little jammy on the nose by comparison to Rousseau and Jean-Marie Fourrier's 2014s: succulent ripe dark cherry and blackcurrant fruit, bold 'n' brassy yet with admirable purity. The palate is medium-bodied with chewy tannin, the oak still present and a guiding hand at the moment, though there is plenty of brooding dark fruit beneath it. It will need several years in the cellar before the rough edges are abraded by time and the terroir begins to show through. Tasted September 2017.