2024 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Estournelles Saint-Jacques, Domaine Henri Magnien

Estournelles is a lovely, but tiny, vineyard of around 2 hectares that sits just above Lavaux St Jacques and touches the highest part of the legendary Clos St Jacques. It’s a vineyard that has really come alive in the recent warmer vintages, but based on this 2024 version, it also works rather well in cooler years, too! This is perhaps because it’s a contradictory plot, with a warm south-facing exposition that is offset by the cooling fresh winds that blow in through the valley. In fact, Charles often harvests his parcel towards the back end of his vendanges; the higher altitude and fresh breeze requiring the bunches extra hang time in which to gain complexity and depth. This is a very different wine to the Champeaux, being much more powerful, but also much more backward. However, it has a wonderful sense of small berry gloss to it, that coats the mouth and accentuates the intensity. This is packed with promise and full of intellectual reflection. Drink from 2024