Gevrey Chambertin Lavaux Saint Jacques, Duroché 2018

Deep rich purple colour though more translucent than most people’s 2020s, let alone 2018s. It was humid in May, providing enough water in the table to keep things going. This is the first wine which might be called a blockbuster but even then finesse and detail will win through. Quite heady raspberry but not lush. Tight structure behind, good acidity, stronger tannins but perfectly managed by the fruit, of which a whole new waver floods over the palate including strawberries with black pepper. Years to go!

From a parcel planted in 1923 where most of the old vines remain intact, this cuvée always seems to possess an extra dimension, and the 2018 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Lavaut Saint-Jacques Vieilles Vignes is no exception. Wafting from the glass with a deep bouquet of cassis, cherries, rose petals, grilled meats and sweet soil tones, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, framed by powdery tannins and lively acids. Integrated and harmonious, this will be long-lived.