Mission Codename This little Lieu Dit went to the market
The Hautes-Côtes de Nuits is SOLD OUT!
But JAYER DAY continues with the NSG next…
Not that it’s Henri Jayer the final frontier, those trade either as fakes, or a bottle here and there for the lucky few vino billionaires out there… Extracurricular reading on that contingency can be found here as reported by Wine Spectator.
Let’s talk about our descendent of the Jayer family here. After all, the ‘Jayer’ in Jayer-Gilles is none other than Henri’s cousin Robert, whose son is Gilles! More on the family ties are expertly explained here by their UK distributor.
Before we get further lost in Burgundial (new word, ha!) trivia, let’s cut to the chase: If you’re remotely interested in this definitive OG region of Pinot Noir, you would be a FOOL to miss this opportunity to pile up on this trio at prices that billionaires mentioned above will never see.
Take it from Antonio Galloni’s Vinous “Jayer remains one of the most under-the-radar growers in Burgundy. The two Bourgognes are among the best wines readers will find in their respective price ranges, while at the other end of the spectrum, the Échezeaux is super-pedigreed.”
And this Nuits-St.-Georges? Sits right in between the two tiers, from a tiny – UNDER 1 ACRE! – Lieu Dit that abuts limestone-rich 1er Crus Les Perrières and Les Porêts (aka Les Poirets) which it’s named after. The Jayer family are the only growers who make a Hauts Poirets, which can be austere in youth as it’s virtually a 1er Cru in quality and intensity with fine-grained tannins that are just starting to soften.
Rather than give you our impressions which range from ooh to aah, the barrel notes below by Vinous & Burghound are the most detailed we could find, they speak volumes.
Till gone - which we suspect is just a question of time.
Barrel Tasting Note – Antonio Galloni’s Vinous
“This small Domaine tucked a bit out of the way in the Hautes Côtes de Nuits remains one of Burgundy’s best kept secrets. Gilles-Jayer crafts meticulous, sleek Burgundies loaded with personality. In particular, the entry-level wines are impeccable here. Then again, Jayer lavishes the same care on those wines he reserves for his top bottlings, including 100% new oak for all the wines. The Jayer Burgundies are sleek and racy, but these days the oak is not especially noticeable. Instead, the wine stand out for their impeccable overall balance. In 2013, Jayer began bringing in his fruit beginning on October 9, very late even for the year. The wines I tasted from barrel point to another brilliant vintage. The 2013 Nuits-St.-Georges Les Hauts Poirets is laced with expressive red-fleshed fruit, savory herbs. Iron, rose petal, violets and underbrush. Here the style is intensely mineral and savory, with plenty of tannin and overall intensity lending support to the fruit. Vibrant and energetic to the finish, the Hauts Poirets bristles with pure energy. Drinking window: 2018-2033.”
Barrel Tasting Note – Burghound
“A relatively refined mélange features notes of cassis, violet, plum and discreet earth, all of which is trimmed in moderate oak. There is a delicious and notably finer mouth feel to the medium weight flavors that display a hint of minerality on the firm but not particularly austere finale. Drink: 2020+”
What the Winery Says
2013 Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Hauts Poirets
- Winemakers
- Gilles Jayer
- Varietals
- 100% Pinot Noir
- Vintage
- 2013
- Alcohol
- 13.5%
- Appellation
- Nuits-Saint-Georges, Côte de Nuits, Bourgogne
- Vineyard
- Les Hauts Poirets
- Vineyard Size
- 0,29/ha
- Aspect
- Southeast-facing
- Average vine age
- 70 years
- Density
- 10,000 vines hl/ha
- Aging
- 18-24 months
- Barrels
- 100% French Oak (30% new)