Rousseau Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru Clos St Jacques 2018

The 2018 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos Saint-Jacques has turned out brilliantly in bottle. Unwinding in the glass with notes of red berries, cassis and peonies, mingled with hints of woodsmoke, raw cocoa, orange rind and exotic spices. Medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, structured around ripe, powdery tannins, it's layered and lively, maintaining impeccable balance in this warm vintage. Long and penetrating, this is more tightly wound in bottle than it was from barrel—something that bodes very well for its long-term evolution. +95 points, drink 2028-2065, William Kelley, Wine Advocate.

750ml. An attractively fresh nose features cool and relatively high-toned red cherry, pomegranate and hints of rose petal, the sauvage and humus, all of which is trimmed in admirably discreet wood influence. The mouthfeel of the precise, intense, equally fine and mineral-driven medium weight flavors is remarkably sophisticated, all wrapped in an impressively long and superbly complex finish that flashes focused power. This is terrific and should age accordingly as it's very firm and compact. Drink 2038+. 95 Points. Allen Meadows, Burghound.com, January 2021.

The 2018 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos Saint-Jacques is also showing superbly, soaring from the glass with a deep bouquet of red berries, cassis, raw cocoa, candied peel, burning embers and cedary new oak—some 80% new this year. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with a richly layered core that's framed by lively acids and refined tannins. This is a powerful but exceptionally elegant Clos Saint-Jacques that very much merits its place as one of the "big three" chez Rousseau this year. 95-97 Points. William Kelley, The Wine Advocate, January 2020.