Domaine Fourrier Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos St. Jacques Vieille Vigne 2018

Clos St. Jacques is one of the most respected Premier Cru sites in Gevrey-Chambertin, a single south-east-facing slope on the Côte-d'Or, and Domaine Fourrier farms old vines here. The hillside sits on Jurassic limestone and marl with good drainage, and its aspect catches the morning sun while the cool Burgundian nights preserve acidity through a wide diurnal range. Old vines and a favoured slope give small yields of concentrated, finely balanced fruit. After fermentation the wine spends eighteen months in French oak, largely used barrels, so the wood adds structure and gentle oxygenation that builds a fine tannic frame without covering the fruit. The 2018 vintage was warm, lending ripeness and depth. It shows a bright ruby colour and an elegant bouquet of black and red fruits, red currant and cherry, with an earthy, faintly floral undertone. The palate is pure and layered, with fine-grained tannins, fresh acidity and a long, savoury finish that reflects the site. This is a wine to cellar or to open with care now. Serve at 16 degrees and decant for an hour, alongside roast lamb, duck or beef with mushrooms.