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Tasting notes
The 1999 Echézeaux Grand Cru was sadly not clean, so this note originates from another bottle proffered by a friend. It is a wine that I have tasted twice before and this was consistent. The bouquet embraces the opulence of the growing season and one can argue that it impinges upon the aromatics more than the other crus this vintage. Then again, I quite enjoy the exoticism of this Echézeaux, the way in which it “puts it all out there”. The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannin, well defined with plenty of plush red cherry and strawberry fruit. It attenuates a little towards the finish, suggesting that its longevity will not be that of its siblings, yet there is such enjoyment to be found in this wine.
Critic scores
Average Score
Allen Meadows, Burghound
The Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 1999 Échézeaux stands out for its striking inner perfume and sweetness. Dark cherries, plums, mocha, violets and menthol all flesh out in a rich, inviting Burgundy that is just now beginning to approach an early plateau of maturity that will last another 20+ years. With time in the glass, the 1999 turns deep and rich. In this case, the vintage is a very strong marker, perhaps even more so than site. Far from an easygoing wine, the 1999 Échézeaux is a wine of notable intensity and pure power.
I was intrigued to see how the 1999 Echezeaux would be performing at 14 years of age since I have not tasted it since just after bottling. It has a very classy nose of dark cherry fruit, quite exotic for one of Aubert de Villaine’s wines, with hints of blood orange and even peach skin infusing the opulent aromatic profile. The palate is well-balanced and tightly knit, though it is clear that the RSV 1999 alongside was born with a higher level of delineation and clarity. Still, you have to admire the brio and hubris of this Echezeaux, and its youthful zeal suggests it will age over three decades without too much sweat. Delicious. Drink 2015-2030.
About the producer
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti or simply “DRC” is without doubt the most famous domaine in Burgundy and one of the most famous producers on earth. The Grand Cru vineyard from which it takes its name produces the world’s most expensive wine by a long margin.