The 2016 Gevrey-Chambertin Clos Saint-Jacques 1er Cru is blessed with a bouquet of real pedigree: very complex mixture of red and black brambly fruit, sous-bois , crushed stone and rose petal aromas. The harmony and delineation is outstanding. The palate is medium-bodied with supple, pliant tannins that lend this Clos Saint-Jacques symmetry and poise. Fresh and vibrant, it never relinquishes any of its breeding and tension. The finish is persistent and utterly captivating. Fabulous. Tasted blind at the 2016 Burgfest tasting.

The 2016 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos Saint-Jacques is showing brilliantly from bottle, soaring from the glass with aromas of raspberries, Griotte cherries, peonies, rich soil tones, smoked meats and dark chocolate, framed by a deft application of cedary new oak. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a rich and multidimensional core that's framed by refined tannins and a lively spine of acidity, concluding with a long and pungently intense finish.

(aging in 70% new oak; the bottom of the vineyard was frosted): Bright, dark red. Wonderfully aromatic but restrained aromas of black raspberry, coffee and smoky minerality. Juicy, penetrating and sharply delineated on the palate, showing a floral element that was not obvious on the nose. Rather muscular for this cuvée at this early stage, just this side of austere. Cyrielle Rousseau noted that this wine was made without fruit from the lower part of the vineyard, which normally contributes lightness and a "dancing quality." The top of the vineyard, she added, provides the power and the middle of the slope the body.

Around 70% new oak. Waiting for 10 years to replant but can’t bring themselves to uproot the old vines. Bottom of the parcel was frosted. Lost about 20%. Very refined on the nose. Lots of life and prancing on the palate. Really very fine and the vineyard speaks so much more articulately than the producer. Soars on the palate. Wonderful spread of flavours on the finish. Very fine tannins. Gorgeous. (JR)