2005 Maison Nicolas Potel Echézeaux Grand Cru

Bright red-ruby color. Spicy black cherry, minerals, nutty oak and a whiff of violet on the nose. Distinctly black fruit in character, with suggestions of minerals and licorice-this is hardly the only 2005 from this vineyard that's showing its dark side early on. Intense finish features substantial tannins that currently cut off the wine's fruit.

Red and black currant, purple plum, ginger spice, star anise and lily inform the mouth-watering nose of Potel’s 2005 Echezeaux. Meaty richness and pulverized stone mineral character join an abundance of juicy fruit in the mouth, and a huge level of concentration proves compatible with a finish of utmost clarity, poise and elegance. This vibrant, finely tannic, superbly subtle wine goes well beyond the norm for its appellation. While it might well make old bones it may remain hard to resist even short term. Happily, at over 300 eventual cases, this is one of Potel’s larger lots. Wine Advocate.June, 2007