Frédéric Esmonin : Gevrey-Chambertin Village "Vieilles Vignes" 2023

Characteristics and tasting notes of the Gevrey-Chambertin Village "Vieilles Vignes" 2023 from Frédéric Esmonin

Tasting notes

Colour
The colour reveals a deep ruby red hue.

Nose
Complex and evolving, the nose first reveals aromas of ripe red fruits such as cherry and raspberry, mingled with hints of undergrowth and spice. With aeration, subtle notes of liquorice, white pepper and delicately toasted oak emerge.

Palate
Medium-bodied, the palate charms with its silky texture and supple, fine tannins. It unfolds flavours of cherry and plum, supported by lovely acidity and a stony minerality typical of its terroir. The finish, with lovely persistence, evolves towards nuances of leather, tobacco leaf and minerals.

Food and wine pairing

This red wine pairs wonderfully with roasted poultry such as duck or pheasant, accompanied by fruity or spicy sauces. It also enhances grilled meats such as veal or lamb, charcuterie platters, feathered game, as well as mature cheeses with mineral or hazelnut notes.

Service and storage

For an optimal tasting experience of this Burgundy wine, it is recommended to decant it approximately thirty minutes before serving, at an ideal temperature of 16°C. Approachable in its youth, this wine has the structure needed to age in the cellar until around 2033.

The elegance and complexity of a Gevrey-Chambertin red wine from Frédéric Esmonin

The estate

Located at the heart of the Côte de Nuits in France, the family estate long supplied its grapes to prestigious merchants before gaining its independence. The estate's official founding date in its current form dates back to 1988, marking the beginning of estate bottling. Today, Frédéric Esmonin owns and runs the estate, working closely with his father André and his mother Michele. Across a vineyard of approximately four hectares, the family carries on a traditional expertise, favouring an authentic expression of the terroir.

The vineyard

The vines of the Gevrey-Chambertin appellation thrive on brown limestone and marl soils, covered with scree and silt. Facing south-east and east, the vineyard benefits from an altitude ranging between 280 and 330 metres. The term "Vieilles Vignes" indicates that the vines are forty to fifty years old, or even older, yielding limited quantities but great aromatic concentration. The estate practises sustainable viticulture through integrated pest management, without the use of herbicides for over a decade, and favours regular ploughing as well as entirely hand-picked harvests.

The vintage

2023 stands out for its particularly high average annual temperatures, mainly due to an unusually mild winter rather than extreme summer heat. Water reserves accumulated before the growing cycle allowed the vines to effectively withstand the periods of heat and drought that occurred later in the season, providing favourable conditions for balanced ripening.

Winemaking and aging

To craft this Gevrey-Chambertin Village "Vieilles Vignes" 2023, the grapes are systematically destemmed before undergoing a four to five-day cold maceration. Fermentation then begins thanks to indigenous yeasts, followed by gentle pressing using a pneumatic press. Aging takes place in oak barrels, 20% of which are new, for fourteen to seventeen months. The wine is only racked at the time of bottling, which is carried out without any filtration in order to preserve its full aromatic complexity.

Grape variety

Pinot Noir (100%).