2019 Echezeaux

Haisma writes about one of the wines of which he used to be most proud, ' The Bonnes Mares went out with a bang and so has Grand Cru Echézeaux. This is sadly the last year for this wine. I hope I get it back but I am not going to hold my breath. I am super grateful that we have made three vintages from this great vineyard but life moves on. 2020 saw a change in relationships within the families, and 2020 saw a very small harvest for some vineyards in the Côte de Nuits. In all that I lose out. I am gutted, I really am. We have put such a lot of effort into these wines that when you lose them it really does sting. This is truly a fitting last release for this wine. I am afraid it has to spread out over many buyers so its available is only three bottles per person.' A telling illustration of the trials and tribulations of outsider négociants. Mid bright crimson. Heady, rich nose of another order of concentration compared with Haisma's other wines. On the palate too, it over-delivers. Sweet but not heavy with a certain velvetiness of texture and real throb of vibrating fruit. Le Shed where he makes his wines must be almost within sight of this vineyard so it must be extremely galling to know this is the last vintage of it. The sweetness of the vintage is counterbalanced by freshness. (JR)

The 2019 Echézeaux Grand Cru includes whole bunches with the central axis taken out. It will be the final release, as Haisma’s contract has ended. This has quite an opulent bouquet of kirsch, blueberry and light violet aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with dark black fruit, white pepper and subtle earthy notes.