2019 Sylvie Esmonin, Gevrey-Chambertin

Sylvie Esmonin manages this domaine with a rigorous, non-interventionist approach to farming, eschewing synthetic chemicals in favor of practices that prioritize vine health and soil integrity. The grapes are sourced from estate parcels in Gevrey-Chambertin, where the prevalence of limestone-rich soils fundamentally informs the structural backbone of the wine. In the winery, Esmonin utilizes traditional open-top wooden vats and a measured, site-specific application of whole-cluster fermentation to enhance complexity and aromatic precision. The 2019 growing season, characterized by warmth and solar intensity mitigated by timely hydric availability, allowed for complete physiological ripeness while maintaining essential structural tension. The resulting wine balances density and mid-palate weight with fine-grained, persistent tannins and the nerve one expects from this iconic appellation.