During my last trip to Burgundy in 2009 I stopped to visit Frederic Esmonin as one of our travelling companions was a long time friend of the Esmonins. Fred was a likeable sort and as we tasted his wines he made us an offer we couldn't refuse on buying some of his 2007 vintage as he was trying to fill out a shipment to the US. I bought four cases at serious discounts. That being said, the wines would not win a beauty contest but they are firm, competent table wines. Last night with roast chicken I opened a bottle of 2007 F. Esmonin Gevrey Chambertin 1er "Les Champonnets". The wine was quite light in the glass more of a dark rose than light garnet. The nose was tight with a bit of Gevrey dirt and a citrus tartness to the aroma. The wine was quite light bodied on the palate with sour cherry a bit of minerality, firm tannins and a high acidity. The wine lacked finesse or ripeness but was drilnkable with the chicken and actually improved with the food. "C+/B-"
2007 Frederic Esmonin GC 1er Les Champonnets
Apr 26, 2011
2 Replies
i've been satisfied (because they are cheap, though not as cheap as it sounds you paid) with some f. esmonins from riper vintages (usually the viillage wine with a name, not sure if a lieu-dit, can't remember name). in leaner vintages tht wine just doesn't cut it thanks for notes
You are probably talking about the "Les Jouises" which I have a case of. I paid an average of $30 per bottle including shipping for the cases that I bought which included a couple cases of GC Mazi and Ruchottes. My understanding from Alan Meadows is that the winemaker used for the 2005 vintage at Esmonin left and 2006 and 2007 were made by Fred and showed a return to a leaner style. For the price I have pretty good table wine but far from 1er or GC level.
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