2021 Echezeaux

The 2021 Echézeaux Grand Cru is bright and nervy, but also very nicely lifted, with pretty aromatics that make a strong opening statement. Crushed flowers, sage, mint, red-toned fruit, orange peel and sweet pipe tobacco are all delineated. There is some angularity to the contours. Bottle age will help, but I expect the 2021 will always be a rather tense Echézeaux. Aeration works quite well here.

The last vines to be picked, on 2 October, bottled 15 March 2023 with some natural CO 2 . Soils are mostly stony and shallow (sometimes as little as 20 cm). Vines on average 35 years old. Yields were a pitiful 13.9 hl/ha, total production just 636 cases of 12. Mid to light ruby. A little more obviously stemmy than the Corton, more herbal. Also more open and scented with wild flowers and grasses, like a spring meadow. Plus a suggestion of crushed stones – a lovely dustiness to add another dimension. There’s a peppery impression but more like fine-scented particles not the aroma of pepper itself. On the palate, again that stemmy character more noticeable and the tannins a little more al dente, marginally chewy, though they are also supremely fine even now. There’s immense tension here in terms of both freshness and tannic energy. A coiled spring. A greyhound waiting for the trap to open.  (JH)

The 2021 Echézeaux Grand Cru was picked on September 30, October 1 and 2 at 13.9hL/ha and bottled on March 15 with some natural CO2 from the fermentation. It has a light bouquet with dark plum, raspberry and a touch of strawberry, opening nicely in the glass. As it did in barrel, it unfolds and reveals a light floral scent. The palate is medium-bodied with a peppery entry. This element of the wine has been accentuated since I tasted it from barrel. It has a fine backbone, not profoundly complex, yet it exerts a gentle grip and fans out towards the finish. This will drink beautifully after two or three years and will sashay along nicely for a couple of decades after. 636 cases produced.