2010 Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair Echézeaux Grand Cru

The 2010 Echézeaux Grand Cru is developing into one of my favourite vintages for this cuvée. Wonderful delineation and mineralité on the nose, this bursts from the glass with bright red cherry and raspberry notes, hints of rooibos and briar emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, fleshy but there is fine structure behind it. To quibble, it does need more grip and density on the finish, but otherwise this is a very classy Echézeaux that is drinking beautifully now.

Tasted at the Comte Liger-Belair vertical at the Château de Vosne. The 2010 Echézeaux Grand Cru is much more closed and broody on the nose compared to the 2009 with hints of tinned apricot tincturing the black cherry and pomegranate fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannin, fine harmony and tension, gently building to a poised, lightly spiced, almost Richebourg-like finish. This has long-term potential. Tasted June 2015.

Medium red. Knockout perfume of redcurrant, iron, dried flowers and clove oil. At once creamy and juicy, with terrific lift and inner-mouth tension to its fine-grained flavors of raspberry, strawberry, spices and flowers. Boasts a wonderful balance of sweetness, savoriness and sap, but seems to be shutting down today. Compellingly aromatic and electric on the long finish, with the tannins completely buffered by the wine's material. I would not be surprised if this wine merited an even higher score a decade down the road.