Frederic Esmonin

Lavaux St. Jacques Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Pinot Noir

9.153 ratings
9.120 pro ratings
Gevrey-Chambertin, Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, France
Pinot Noir
Turkey, Game, Exotic Spices, Soft Cheese, Duck, Goose, Salads & Greens, Potato, Quinoa, Farro, Brown Rice, White Rice, Pasta, Herbs, Nuts & Seeds, Mushrooms, Chicken, Meaty & Oily Fish, Shellfish, Crab & Lobster, Stew, Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Salami & Prosciutto, Salmon, Quinoa, Shellfish
Top Notes For
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

The nose is everything from subtle to intoxicating. The fruits are a combination of baked & slightly stewed; blackberries, black sour cherries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, strawberries & haunting blue fruits. Charcoal notes, slightly charred toast, anise to black licorice, black fruit tea, dark fruit cola, dark, mid intensity Asian/Indian spices, alluvial limestone minerals, dry, crushed rocks, wet clay, stones, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and soft vanillin, fresh tobacco notes, leather, barrel shavings, dry underbrush, hints of graphite with dark, red, purple, blue fresh & withering florals.

The body is medium full and simply gorgeous. The mouthfeel is round, sexy and lures you in. Texture is beautifully enticing. The tension, structure, balance and length are ascending to their peak...another 5 years to full peak. The fruits are a combination of baked & slightly stewed; blackberries, black sour cherries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, strawberries, hints of rhubarb, figs, dates characteristics & haunting blue fruits. Charcoal notes, slightly charred toast, anise to black licorice, black fruit tea, dark fruit cola, dark, mid intensity Asian/Indian spices, alluvial limestone & sandstone minerals, dry, crushed rocks, wet clay, stones, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and soft vanillin, fresh tobacco notes, leather, barrel shavings, dry underbrush, hints of graphite with bright, dark, red, purple, blue fresh & withering florals. The acidity is round, fresh, lively and like a warm spring. The finish is; elegant, extremely well balanced, gorgeous and persists like a long tango dance. Simply beautiful in every way. Heady wine.

Hard to believe I paid right around $35 for this upon release.

Photos of; Village of Combanchien, stone wall of Domaine Frederic Esmonin, Frederic barrel tasting and Clos Prieur Bas Vineyard, with Clos Prieur 1er Cru, Mazis Chambertin and the legendary Clos de Beze directly behind it.

The nose is everything from subtle to intoxicating. The fruits are a combination of baked & slightly stewed; blackberries, black sour cherries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, strawberries & haunting blue fruits. Charcoal notes, slightly charred toast, anise to black licorice, black fruit tea, dark fruit cola, dark, mid intensity Asian/Indian spices, alluvial limestone minerals, dry, crushed rocks, wet clay, stones, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and soft vanillin, fresh tobacco notes, leather, barrel shavings, dry underbrush, hints of graphite with dark, red, purple, blue fresh & withering florals.

The body is medium full and simply gorgeous. The mouthfeel is round, sexy and lures you in. Texture is beautifully enticing. The tension, structure, balance and length are ascending to their peak...another 5 years to full peak. The fruits are a combination of baked & slightly stewed; blackberries, black sour cherries, black raspberries, black plum, plum, strawberries, hints of rhubarb, figs, dates characteristics & haunting blue fruits. Charcoal notes, slightly charred toast, anise to black licorice, black fruit tea, dark fruit cola, dark, mid intensity Asian/Indian spices, alluvial limestone & sandstone minerals, dry, crushed rocks, wet clay, stones, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and soft vanillin, fresh tobacco notes, leather, barrel shavings, dry underbrush, hints of graphite with bright, dark, red, purple, blue fresh & withering florals. The acidity is round, fresh, lively and like a warm spring. The finish is; elegant, extremely well balanced, gorgeous and persists like a long tango dance. Simply beautiful in every way. Heady wine.

Hard to believe I paid right around $35 for this upon release.

Photos of; Village of Combanchien, stone wall of Domaine Frederic Esmonin, Frederic barrel tasting and Clos Prieur Bas Vineyard, with Clos Prieur 1er Cru, Mazis Chambertin and the legendary Clos de Beze directly behind it.

Feb 2nd, 2020
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

When I first started studying to become a Somm, this Burgundian producer was one of my early discoveries. One for its quality and for its QPR.

The nose reveals; brambly, dark berry mix, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, black plum, poached strawberries, baked rhubarb, with hints of pomegranate. The fruits are ripe and fairly well extracted for burgundy. Dark chocolate, light mocha, softly layered baking spices; cinnamon, vanilla with whiffs of clove. Dark, rich earth, limestone minerals, some black licorice, dark cola, wafting liqueur notes, fruit tea, just a hint of funk on the swirl, dry river stones with fresh, dark, red, florals.

The body is medium full and hedonistic. The structure, tension, length and balance are just at the beginnings of hitting their stride. brambly, dark berry mix, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, black plum, poached strawberries, baked rhubarb, with hints of pomegranate. The fruits are ripe and fairly well extracted for burgundy. Dark chocolate, light mocha, caramel, softly layered baking spices; cinnamon, vanilla with whiffs of clove. Dark, rich earth, grainy limestone minerals, moist clay, stem inclusion, some black licorice, dark cola, wafting liqueur notes, fruit tea, just a hint of funk on the swirl, dry river stones with fresh, dark, red, florals with lavender on the long set. The acidity is round and beautiful. The long finish is; rich, ripe, well balanced, elegant, sexy, persistent with some dark spice on the long set.

Brings back great Somm memories with my tasting group here on the opening night of the D&S Lounge.

When I first started studying to become a Somm, this Burgundian producer was one of my early discoveries. One for its quality and for its QPR.

The nose reveals; brambly, dark berry mix, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, black plum, poached strawberries, baked rhubarb, with hints of pomegranate. The fruits are ripe and fairly well extracted for burgundy. Dark chocolate, light mocha, softly layered baking spices; cinnamon, vanilla with whiffs of clove. Dark, rich earth, limestone minerals, some black licorice, dark cola, wafting liqueur notes, fruit tea, just a hint of funk on the swirl, dry river stones with fresh, dark, red, florals.

The body is medium full and hedonistic. The structure, tension, length and balance are just at the beginnings of hitting their stride. brambly, dark berry mix, blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, black plum, poached strawberries, baked rhubarb, with hints of pomegranate. The fruits are ripe and fairly well extracted for burgundy. Dark chocolate, light mocha, caramel, softly layered baking spices; cinnamon, vanilla with whiffs of clove. Dark, rich earth, grainy limestone minerals, moist clay, stem inclusion, some black licorice, dark cola, wafting liqueur notes, fruit tea, just a hint of funk on the swirl, dry river stones with fresh, dark, red, florals with lavender on the long set. The acidity is round and beautiful. The long finish is; rich, ripe, well balanced, elegant, sexy, persistent with some dark spice on the long set.

Brings back great Somm memories with my tasting group here on the opening night of the D&S Lounge.

Jun 1st, 2019
Gene Harlow

Outstanding Burgundy with great earthy nuances and good balance. A treat!

Outstanding Burgundy with great earthy nuances and good balance. A treat!

1 person found it helpfulDec 28th, 2020
Scott Wren

Ah, the approachability and pleasure of youth. Deelish red-black fruit combo satisfies. Spicy bordering on tangy flavor creates interest. Good rich mouthfeel. And importantly not a fortune at retail

Ah, the approachability and pleasure of youth. Deelish red-black fruit combo satisfies. Spicy bordering on tangy flavor creates interest. Good rich mouthfeel. And importantly not a fortune at retail

Sep 1st, 2016
Scott Wren

Forest floor. Med red fruit. Drinking beautifully

Forest floor. Med red fruit. Drinking beautifully

Aug 27th, 2016
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Sour, tart, sweet, black cherries, there's a liquor quality here, red & black licorice, wet black earth and chalky finish. This is premier Cru Burgundy you want to drink!!! Over delivers at around $50.

Sour, tart, sweet, black cherries, there's a liquor quality here, red & black licorice, wet black earth and chalky finish. This is premier Cru Burgundy you want to drink!!! Over delivers at around $50.

Oct 11th, 2015
Damon Goldfoos

Ripe and wooded, amazing wine to convert Cali fans

Ripe and wooded, amazing wine to convert Cali fans

Jan 13th, 2015
Eddie Townsend

Winery Ambassador Hyde de Villaine

9.1

Approachable, developing tertiary flavors/aromas & nice texture.

Approachable, developing tertiary flavors/aromas & nice texture.

Oct 27th, 2014
Kat Thomas

Sommelier Rose.Rabbit.Lie

9.4

Got this in my blind ~ nailed it

Got this in my blind ~ nailed it

Jul 1st, 2014
Jun Yamazaki

Very nice and firm taste as well as fragrance.

Very nice and firm taste as well as fragrance.

Aug 23rd, 2021