The 2018 Gevrey-Chambertin Clos Saint-Jacques 1er Cru has an ethereal bouquet with dark cherry, blueberry, light wilted rose petal and shucked oyster shell scents. It unfolds beautifully in the glass, possibly the classiest and more alluring of the CSJ quintet. The palate is well balanced with finely chiseled red cherry fruit intermixed with raspberry, crushed stone and a dab of spice. Harmonious through to the structured finish. The mineralité shines through this wine. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2018 red tasting.

The 2018 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos Saint-Jacques has turned out brilliantly in bottle. Unwinding in the glass with notes of red berries, cassis and peonies, mingled with hints of woodsmoke, raw cocoa, orange rind and exotic spices. Medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, structured around ripe, powdery tannins, it's layered and lively, maintaining impeccable balance in this warm vintage. Long and penetrating, this is more tightly wound in bottle than it was from barrel-something that bodes very well for its long-term evolution.