Domaine Sylvie Esmonin is a well-known domaine, situated in Gevrey-Chambertin, Burgundy. The vineyards of the domaine cover 7.66 hectares in different appellations. Sylvie Esmonin has been farming the domaine since 1985, according to the organic approach, though without the certification.

The wines of the domaine are stylish and well-balanced, expressing the richness of Gevrey-Chambertin terroirs.

The top wines of the domaine are: Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru Clos Saint-Jacques, Gevrey-Chambertin Cuvée Vieilles Vignes and Gevrey-Chambertin Village. The Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru Clos Saint-Jacques 2005 scored 96-97, the Gevrey-Chambertin Cuvée Vieilles Vignes 2012 scored 93-95 and the Gevrey-Chambertin Village 2012 scored 91-93 by the Wine Advocate.

Robert Parker’s tasting notes on the Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru Clos Saint-Jacques 2005: “The Esmonin 2005 Gevrey-Chambertin Clos Saint-Jacques – unsurprisingly, incorporating virtually 100 percent whole cluster and new wood – bursts from the glass with scents of soy, aromatic woods, ripe black fruits, resin, rose, iris, violets, and roasted meats. Not at all effusively fruity or showy on entry, this nevertheless totally saturates the palate with the fresh essence of blackberry and cherry, along with smoked and roasted meats, soy and stone, liquorice and herbs. Quite tannic and palpably dense in the mouth, it displays a much sterner, less winsome personality than the Gevrey V.V. – but what a personality it has! In a remarkable finishing act, the tannins then seem to melt away, the wine grabs your palate, showering it with flowers and herbs, slathering it with black fruits and animal fat, dashing it against stones, reviving it with mineral salts, and leaving it exhilarated but utterly wrung-out. Esmonin doesn’t think her 2005s will ever “shut down”. But this one might just tell you to shut up: I suspect it will continue to control the agenda if opened any time over the next 12 to 15 years. The strikingly floral, salty, savoury, dynamic 2004 is gorgeous – if not in the same exalted league as this ‘05 – and well worth cellaring mid-term.”

Domaine Sylvie Esmonin has been managed by Sylvie Esmonin since 1985. She succeeded her father Michel Esmonin, who was developing the domaine by selling their wines mostly in bulk. It was Sylvie Esmonin, who insisted on bottling all the domaine’s harvests.

Sylvie Esmonin's grandfather is considered to be the founder of the domaine. He worked for the Comte de Moucheron, former owners of the famous Clos Saint-Jacques vineyard. When the Comte de Moucheron was selling up in 1950s, Sylvie Esmonin's grandfather had bought a part of the vineyards along with the house.

The vineyards of Domaine Sylvie Esmonin are farmed according to the organic approach, without certification. No herbicides have been used since 1990. Harvesting is done late.

Sylvie Esmonin almost does not destalk the grapes. During the fermentation, punching down is conducted. Vatting period lasts approximately 2 weeks. The ageing is done in top-of-the-range oak barrels from Dominique Laurent with the percentage of new wood from 60 to 100 percent.