The nose is slightly smoky; tight but still some dark fruit shows through – eventually very, very pretty. Very silky, mineral too. This starts quite Medium, medium-plus colour. The nose has hints of musk and warm, ripe berries. Soft and velvety – seems a little lush. Nice width and a growing note of flowers.
Esmonin Sylvie
2004 Esmonin Sylvie Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes
Deep cherry-red colour. Slight reduction can’t hide earthy, creamy blackberry and blackcurrant aspects on the nose. The palate is ripe and again very black-fruity – brambly – and with helpful acidity moves seamlessly through slightly grainy tannin to a black finish edged with cream – maybe a hint of coconut too.
2000 Esmonin Sylvie Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes
Quite deep, extracted looking ruby – still cherry red at the rim. The nose starts very dumb, given time it starts to betray a little oak but also quite deep cherry – shaded to black. The palate is quite smooth with good acidity and strong fruit. The finish is woody from the oak. Nice fruit, but currently trapped in a wooden box – I’d be interested to try this again in 4/5 years – hopefully it will be starting to coalesce.