Gevrey-Chambertin, Clos Saint-Jacques, 1er Cru, 2018
More backward than the Cazetiers but higher-toned and crisper on the nose. The palate is ethereal, taut and offers high-definition flavours of cherry, cherry stone and plum. Wild, fresh and bracing with the power and density to back it up. The flavours are complex and serious, emerging gradually and slowly from the glass but persist and haunt when they do. One of Gevrey’s great Premiers Crus situated high up on the slope, many believe it to be more deserving of Grand Cru status than a number of Gevrey’s more dubious Grands Crus. This high situation and red clay-based soils make for wines of freshness, tension and well-defined structure. The vineyard was planted in 1957, a massale selection of Pinot Fine made by Bruno's father, resulting in low yields - rarely more than 30hl/ha.
critic reviews
The 2018 Gevrey-Chambertin Clos Saint-Jacques 1er Cru has a well-defined bouquet. Dark cherries mingle with iodine and light pressed flower aromas, just a touch of graphite underneath. This will need time to knit together. The palate is medium-bodied with a concentrated opening, layers of black cherry and bilberry fruit with a fair lacquer of new oak. Fine balance, a pinch of cracked black pepper and thyme emerge towards the finish. This has a long aftertaste but it will clearly need time. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2018 red tasting.