December 16, 2022 - Still tight. Great potential
September 14, 2018 - Nigel P in Bath (Clayton’s kitchen, Bath): Very dark. Fragrant, slightly pricey nose. Dense. Not burgundy as one knows it, but regardless it’s dense, dry, oaky, uncompromising and to my palate, unpleasant. No thanks.
January 6, 2016 - Slightly rustic and closed
Lots of concentration though and very ripe fruit
Revisit with more age
November 27, 2015 - Super rich, dark and extracted. Almost un-Burgundian. Still a very attractive wine. Drank straight after delivery, so might be even better when settled.
October 23, 2015 - A Weekend in Ekatahuna; 10/22/2015-10/23/2015 (Ekatahuna, New Zealand): Fine example of a Burgundy in a challenging and hot vintage. The wine's fruit is not stewed, but there are hints of port and a slight translucent aspect to the fruit. The tannic structure is verging on rough, but this, combined with some exotic aromatics, add up to a wine of great character and plenty of nuance. Drunk before a Turley Petit Syrah, this had far less polish but far greater complexity. I can see why many would not admire the wine because of its slightly feral nature, but I consider it outstanding, considering it a true and successful representation of the vintage.
June 15, 2015 - Clear dark garnet. Aromatics are an array of spice & brown sugar laden cherries. Some secondary truffle notes are starting to creep in as well. Medium bodied, a strong anise note begins here & accents some sappy, almost Grenache-like red fruit. The new oak is still forward and domonates much of the palate. Tannic, leaving me longing for some acidity. Certainly complex, but lacking elegance (2003).
February 19, 2014 - Over a steak prepared by W. This was a very good choice by the host. Dark red, almost opaque in colour. Nose was a firm on Gevrey, but the ripeness and heat stood out strong, making this a definite 2003. It was right "in your face", not in an offensive way, but very rich and intense. On the palate, it couldn't live up to its initial intensity, but very good nonetheless. Earth, minerals, lots of ripe berries and toffee. The wine was hot and sweet, some might use extracted as a description, but I felt it wasn't overly so. Enjoyable, and it has some way to go.
April 30, 2013 - no decanting. Absolutely great! still a lot of fruits and acidity. very deep and profound Gevrey. Very concentrated with all markers from the vintage: preserved cherries above the soil. S. Esmonin signature makes it one of my favorite wines : intense aromas coming from very low yields. The mouth is long with beautiful touches of wood and liquorish on the finish. Sheer wine tasting! One of the rare wine that makes me thrill!
April 2, 2011 - April Fools Dim Sum; 4/2/2011-4/3/2011 (Seattle, WA): Dark ruby red. Reticent nose which showed dark red fruit and some damp earth. This wine is one I would describe as brooding more than pretty or elegant. The vintage is reflected here, it is dark fruited and full bodied, but thankfully not stewed or unpleasant. The structure is more tannic than acidic, but it is drinking reasonably well. This will show better on the table with a hearty dinner (rack of lamb, pork tenderloin) than it did at a big tasting among other, more elegant bottles of Burgundy. Medium length.