WTN: 2001 Jadot Estournelles-St.-Jacques

[David M. Bueker]

• 2001 Louis Jadot Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Estournelles-St.-Jacques - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru (3/9/2025)
  Wine rewards the patient! Back in 2020 I thought this wine was at its apogee. Five years passed, and I did not open another bottle. Then I finally grabbed one, and was hit with a wine that had notably improved rather than sustaining or fading. Thirty minutes in the glass limbered up stiff muscles, and then the fireworks started. Clear, lustrous fruit supported by earthy/minerally notes and well mannered tannins made for an initially pleasing experience. A little more air time, and the texture turned silkier and the perfume of the wine expanded. It really was about all that I could ask for, and a high-level performance for a 1er Cru in a good but not heralded vintage.

[list][*]2001 Louis Jadot Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Estournelles-St.-Jacques - France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru (3/9/2025)
Wine rewards the patient!...Thirty minutes in the glass limbered up stiff muscles, and then the fireworks started.

Sounds good, and glad that you got your reward!

I had a similar experience this weekend, with a younger humbler wine, a 2012 Louis Boillot Volnay Les Grands Poisots. But still, it started off stiff and angular and I wondered if it was past its peak. Thankfully I held onto my faith and didn't open another bottle, because it limbered up with air and became fresher and clearer and was very nice. I guess just as with people, we can't expect wines to perform on command!