2023 Louis Jadot Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Lavaux St Jacques, Burgundy

Another strong effort, the 2023 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Lavaux Saint-Jacques (Domaine Louis Jadot) offers up aromas of cassis, orange zest, spiced plums and petals, followed by a medium to full-bodied, supple and seamless palate that lends this rendition an unusual immediacy. Winemaker Frédéric Barnier and his team have once again delivered a strong portfolio chez Jadot. Barnier stressed the importance of sorting and of vigilance during élevage, in particular where acid rot made an appearance, and he didn't hesitate to perform a saignée for cuvées where yields where high. As I've written before, in the cellar, foudres and 500-liter barrels now complement classic 228-liter pièces, a further evolution adapting to warmer, riper vintages. What's more, barrels are now used four rather than three times, meaning the percentage of new oak overall has fallen. A cold room also helps chill down any fruit that's too warm when it enters the winery, something especially important during the warm 2023 harvest. This vintage also marks the third vintage of organic conversion for the Domaine Louis Jadot and the Domaine Gagey.

91-93 points robertparker.com

An even bright colour. There is slightly more fruit here on the nose in a soft raspberry style. Quiet a volume too on the palate, generous, quite nuanced, good structure too, and a more persistent finish. Drink from 2030-2038. Tasted Oct 2024.

92-95 points Jasper Morris MW insideburgundy.com

Louis Jadot Gevrey Chambertin Premier Cru Lavaux St Jacques is one of the great addresses of the Côte de Nuits and a wine that consistently punches at Grand Cru level. Lavaux St Jacques sits high on the slope above the village of Gevrey, a cool, well ventilated site with limestone rich soils that give Pinot Noir remarkable finesse, depth and ageworthiness. Many locals have long argued it deserves Grand Cru status, and tasting the wine makes that argument very easy to understand.

Maison Louis Jadot has been a custodian of Burgundy’s vineyards for generations, with a deep respect for site and tradition. In Gevrey Chambertin, their approach is all about clarity and balance rather than excess. Fruit is carefully selected, fermented with sensitivity and matured in oak that supports rather than dominates. The aim is always to let the vineyard speak, and Lavaux St Jacques speaks with quiet authority.

In the glass, the wine is refined yet serious. Red cherry, raspberry and wild strawberry lead, followed by rose petal, forest floor and gentle spice. With time, deeper notes of earth, savoury herbs and a touch of iron emerge, adding complexity and gravitas. The palate is beautifully structured, with fine grained tannins, bright acidity and a long, persistent finish that feels precise rather than heavy.

This is Pinot Noir that rewards patience. While it can be enjoyed with air in its youth, it truly shines with time in the cellar, evolving into something layered, savoury and deeply expressive. At the table, it pairs beautifully with roast duck, lamb, mushroom dishes or classic Burgundian cuisine.

Louis Jadot Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Lavaux St Jacques is a benchmark wine that shows why this vineyard is held in such high regard, offering the power of Gevrey with the elegance and detail that define great Burgundy.