2018 Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux Echézeaux Grand Cru

The 2018 Echezeaux Grand Cru is also showing extremely well, soaring from the glass with aromas of raspberries, cherries, blood orange, incense, spices and peonies. On the palate it's medium to full-bodied, deep and ample, with a strikingly vibrant, dynamic core of fruit that's structured around fine, powdery tannins, concluding with a long and expansive finish. To produce such an energetic Echezeaux in such a warm vintage is quite an achievement.

The 2018 Echézeaux Les Rouges Grand Cru, from the Les Rouges lieu-dit, has a delightful bouquet of vivacious red cherry, crushed strawberry and oyster shell aromas, all elegant and refined. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins that frame the pure raspberry, cranberry, crushed stone and touches of oyster shell, particularly on the precise finish. Excellent.

In contrast to the expressiveness of the Clos de Vougeot, this is almost mute though aggressive swirling eventually coaxes ultra-spicy aromas of various dark berries, violet and rose petal to reveal themselves. There is terrific punch and beautiful detail to the focused and sleek medium-bodied flavors that aren't quite as complex on the dusty and mildly austere finale. Still, this is clearly more backwards than the Clos de Vougeot and may well catch it in time.