YOUNG WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR
2022 JEAN BAPTISTE JESSIAUME OFFER:
Jean-Baptiste Jessiaume, representing the sixth generation, grew up watching his father, Marc, make wine, and the two continued to run Jessiaume for several years after selling the estate in 2006. The pair later moved down to Bouzeron in the Côte Chalonnaise to take over Domaine Chanzy, and following that, Jean-Baptiste—who received “Young Winemaker of the Year” honours from Burghound’s Allen Meadows—set up his own micro-négociant shop back in Santenay. Blessed with impeccable vineyard sources in the Côte de Beaune and Chalonnaise both, the Jean-Baptiste Jessiaume lineup has grown quite large—as in, a large number of tiny-production bottlings, not a large production of bottles overall.
“What I’ve inherited is not only an estate. It’s an expectation. An expectation of ensuring the exceptional quality for which my family’s wines are known. This wine is the truest expression of this.” – Jean-Baptiste Jessiaume, Winemaker.
Jean-Baptiste Jessiaume – Santanay – Le Forge –Chardonnay – 2020
Fresh, zesty and neutral, with a touch of nuttiness to the nectarine-like aromas. The fruit has a lighter weight on the palate but is clearly high quality. Gentle oak and minerality add texture. The length and persistence are notable. Very well made. $44.95 – 96 bottles available
Jean-Baptiste Jessiaume – Mercurey – Bois De Lallier – Chardonnay – 2020
More volume of fruit compared to the Le Forge and very well made. Textural, silky and near seamless, with stone-fruit building in the glass. $40.95 – 96 bottles available – Sold out
Jean-Baptiste Jessiaume – Rully – Clos de Bellecroix – Chardonnay – 2020
Pretty fruit, in a cooler style, is supported by exciting acidity. Grapefruit and lemony acid keep the wine fresh and lively, while the oak is texturing without adding overt characters. An elegant, finer style that would suit short-term aging. $39.95 – 96 bottles available – Sold out
Jean-Baptiste Jessiaume Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Morgeot – Chardonnay – 2020
The Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Morgeot is beginning to drink very well, offering up a classy bouquet of green pear, iodine, honeycomb and a subtle framing of smoky oak. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, satiny and textural, with racy acids, excellent concentration. $110.95 – 36 bottles available
Jean-Baptiste Jessiaume Meursault 1er Cru Blagny – Chardonnay – 2020
Aromas of pear, freshly baked bread, citrus oil and baking spices introduce the 2020 Meursault 1er Cru Blagny, a medium to full-bodied, ample and satiny wine that’s bright and chalky, concluding with a saline finish. It’s a fine effort. $124.95 – 36 bottles available
Jean-Baptiste Jessiaume Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru Champ Gain. – Chardonnay -2020 –
The Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Champ Gain is one of the highlights of the range, offering up a lovely bouquet of white flowers, citrus zest, fresh pear and hazelnuts, followed by a medium to full-bodied, ample and enveloping palate that’s underpinned by racy acids, concluding with a ungodly long finish. $184.95 – 36 bottles available.
