2015 Frederic Esmonin, Gevrey-Chambertin, Vieilles Vignes “Les Jouises” Red Burgundy, France.
What a beauty, clear and concentrated with lovely detail, perfume and length the 2015 Frederic Esmonin Les Jouises Gevrey is a classy red Burgundy and a glorious bargain! The 2015 vintage is one where Esmonin excelled, I was able to taste these wines with Frederic Esmonin earlier this year at Atherton Wine Imports at SF’s famed Jardiniere and found them to be wonderfully open, round and elegant, these are going to be wines that drink well right away and wines that should age with grace into the medium long term future and with real rewards for the patient! The old vine Les Jouises is brilliant and ruby/red in the glass with crushed violets/rose petal, kirsch and light smokiness leading the way before a satiny medium weighted palate that explores black cherry, racy currant, plum and forest berry along with bright spices, mineral tones, dusty loam and near perfect oak shadings with hints of earth, candied citrus, polished ripe/sweet tannins. Youthfully fruited and with subtle acidity at this stage, this is a Gevrey-Chambertin you’ll want to re-visit in 3 to 5 years and again in 10-15 years, one of the best in the set for value, but if you are looking for a bit more serious offerings both of the Grand Crus I tried were exceptional with Esmonin’s Mazy-Chambertin getting my personal nod for the cellar. There’s not much of these wines available, but certainly they will be worth the effort to get some, especially this stylish and textured Vieilles Vines Les Jouises.
($47 Est.) 93 Points, grapelive
