Réve Éphémère is made up of 99% Poulsard from very old vines, blended with a few Pinot Noir vines that exist on the same plot. The grapes are destemmed and given 4 weeks on the skins, then pressed using a vertical rachet press before being blended with free-run juice and aged in fibreglass. A silky wine full of pretty red fruit. We’d suggest giving it a bit of air once pulling the cork, once having a chance to breathe the plush layers of fruit will start to emerge. A wine that will age wonderfully, this is one we’d definitely recommend cellaring.
It is early days in Jean-François’ wine journey, with 2020 being his first proper vintage. His wines are already remarkably accomplished, detailed and powerful. With a bright future ahead, we look forward tasting these wines for years to come. As usual for growers in this region, production is small with limited amounts to go around.
Jean-François Essler farms just under 4 hectares of vines in Grusse (Val-Sonette). A former graphic designer and wine merchant by trade, Jean-François decided he wanted to make wine, and spent a few years working at Domaine Buronfosse before setting up his own estate. The entire estate is certified organic, with a few biodynamic methods also being used. The work is focused around a respect to the living eco system of the vineyard. During harvest, everything is done by hand and great care is taken not to damage the grapes.
