2023 Gérard Raphet Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Lavaux St. Jacques

BH90-92 Enough wood to merit pointing out is present on the earthy and sauvage-inflected ripe black cherry scents. There is slightly better size, weight and density to the solidly powerful medium weight flavors that exude a subtle minerality on the impressively long and well-balanced finale. This well-made effort should age well over the mid-term.
WSI95+ Raphet’s vine rows border premier cru ‘Clos Saint Jacques,’ arguably the heart of Gevrey’s top premier cru row in the “combe” of Gevrey, benefitting from the valley’s cooler winds. Soils are a mineral-rich, red clay. Aromas of cinnamon, cloves, earth, red berries. Silky yet structured; flavors of pomegranate, red cherry, light spice. Hand-harvested. Fermented on indigenous yeasts in tank.Aged in older French oak barrels for 18 months (approximately 15% new oak). Bottled unfined and unfiltered.