2018 Gevrey Chambertin Estournelles St Jacques
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Tasting notes
The 2018 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Estournelles Saint-Jacques unwinds in the glass, a touch of youthful reduction dissipating to reveal notes of sweet spices, wild berries, rose hips, orange and smoked meats. Medium to full-bodied, velvety and textural, it's rich and sapid, with lively acids and melting tannins. Concluding with a mineral finish, it will reward a bit of bottle age.
Critic scores
Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
The 2018 Gevrey-Chambertin Estournelles Saint-Jacques 1er Cru, of which there are two barrels this year, has a reticent nose at the moment, a little tertiary in style, gradually opening to reveal attractive chalk dust notes. The palate has a fleshy, almost pastille-like opening, quite forward and open compared to other cuvées, although I find that the Cazetiers has more complexity on the finish. The 10–15% whole bunch adds a little spice and depth, and this cuvée improves with aeration and evolves much more personality. Give it plenty of bottle age.
20% whole bunch. Above Clos St-Jacques, quite warm because of all the rocks but windy enough to keep the vines healthy. Steep. On the south-facing slope of the Combe Lavaux it is warm enough that you find plants that grow in southern France. Tank sample but about to be bottled. Lots of spice here and pure dark fruit. Pierre Duroché says liquorice, though I am not totally convinced at this stage. Gently chewy yet rounded and smooth on the finish. Polished tannins, long, spicy finish. The house style’s juicy fruit. A complete wine and satisfyingly long. (JH)
About the producer
Domaine Duroché has, under Pierre Duroché, become one of the most sought-out and respected wine domaines in Gevrey-Chambertin. The wines are delicate and detailed, yet with old-vine intensity, a clear sense of place and style – and it’s easy to see why they’ve rapidly become so in-demand.