Portfolio : Frederic Esmonin

Frederic Esmonin

An Atherton Wine Imports Direct Import

Esmonin is becoming one of the most consistent, high quality producers in Gevrey. Their Grand Cru and Premier Cru vineyards were mostly re-planted in the 1950s so the wines are reaching levels of complexity and consistency that can only be achieved with older vines.

Before 1988, André Esmonin sold to negociants such as Leroy and Louis Jadot. When Andre’s son, Frédéric, joined him that year they made the switch to bottling their own wines. The farming is lutte raisonnée, meaning chemical treatments are done only if the vineyards are threatened, not as a matter of course.

The wines are characterized by purity, elegance and an uncanny ability to age well. They use a bladder-press which gives excellent control over the amount of pressure exerted on the grapes, which are picked only when they have reached ideal ripeness. The grapes are de-stemmed and after a short cold maceration gives the wines an extra dimension of fruit, indigenous yeasts initiate fermentation. They bottle relatively early which they feel preserves freshness of the fruit character and sets them on course to mature slowly and steadily in bottle.

Praise from the Critics:

“So if you love Red Burgundy you really need to buy the Esmonin wines. And, as an added bonus, in today’s Red Burgundy market where prices continue to climb, the Esmonin wines still represent really good value and are some of the very best wines at the best prices. That’s a WIN/WIN folks!” (John Tilson, Underground Wineletter, Dec 2022)

“The trademark of Esmonin’s 2018 Gevrey cuvées is fresh, pure fruit and finesse, with the premiers crus from the Cöte St.-Jacques a touch darker in fruit, with mineral and iron notes. They are also particularly good values.” (Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator Insider, Producer Spotlight, Feb 3, 2021)

“This estate has a long track record for making scented, pure, elegantly styled wines and offering them at relatively attractive prices.” (Stephen Tanzer - Vinous, Jan 2014)

“Until 1988 the wines were sold in bulk to no less than Leroy and Louis Jadot, but over the last two decades they have quietly gone about their way producing high quality Gevrey-focused wines from their 3.60-hectare of holdings….My experience of mature bottles suggests that it does not compromise these wines that have an unerring ability to age and what is more, can often be found at reasonable prices.” (Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, Dec 2013)

“The wines are rich in colour, virile, profound and concentrated.” (Clive Coates - Cote D’Or)

“Together, André and Frédéric have propelled their Domaine into the upper échelons of Gevrey quality.” (Remington Norman, MW - The Great Domaines of Burgundy)

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