Sylvie Esmonin Gevrey Chambertin Vieilles Vignes 2022

Sylvie Esmonin is a respected grower producer based in Gevrey Chambertin in the Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, where she took over her family estate in the 1990s after training as an oenologist in Bordeaux and working at prestigious estates in both Bordeaux and Burgundy. She has built a reputation for bold, structured expressions of Pinot Noir that remain rooted in classic Gevrey power and intensity. The domaine practices a low intervention approach, with no use of herbicides or pesticides since around 1990, and although not formally certified, the vineyards are widely regarded as farmed organically. The 2022 vintage in Burgundy was warm and generous, producing ripe, concentrated fruit while retaining balance thanks to healthy vine conditions. The vineyards for this cuvée span multiple parcels in Gevrey Chambertin, rooted in classic limestone and marl soils with stony, well drained profiles that lend structure and minerality.

Gevrey-Chambertin “Vieilles Vignes” 2022 is made from Pinot Noir sourced from old vines averaging over 75 years in age, giving remarkable depth and concentration for a village-level wine. Vinification includes a high proportion of whole bunch fermentation, typically around 60%, which enhances spice, lift and structural complexity. The wine is aged in French oak barrels with approximately 50% new oak, unusually high for its classification, contributing to its power and ageing potential while still respecting fruit purity. The style is expressive and layered, showing black cherry, blackberry and ripe strawberry alongside violet, cinnamon, earthy “sauvage” notes, and a mineral backbone. The palate is medium bodied but dense and textured, with grainy tannins, licorice and tobacco nuances and a long, structured finish. It is approachable now with decanting but will reward cellaring over 8-12 years. The wine typically receives 90-92 point scores from critics such as Neal Martin and Jasper Morris, with praise for its “uncommon depth and Grand Cru-like intensity at village level.”