2018 Côte de Nuits-Villages

Sylvie Esmonin was on hand to guide me through her small portfolio, ably assisted by her canine friend who can sprint up through her back garden, better known as Clos Saint-Jacques, like Usain Bolt running for the last train. She picked from 9 to 14 September, cropping at 35hl/ha, followed by a 15 day cuvaison. She had not done analysis for the 2018s but thinks that alcohol levels come in between 13.5% and 14.0%. These are quite rich and opulent wines that one might call "modernist" rather than "traditional" Bordeaux and they tend to divide opinion. They do not appeal to those seeking relatively light and ethereal or "transparent" Pinot Noir, but tend to carry a fair weight of oak and tannins.