2003 Domaine Jayer-Gilles Echézeaux du Dessus Grand Cru
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Tasting notes
Saturated ruby-red. Knockout nose combines black raspberry, licorice, coffee, minerals and roasted nuts. Huge, full and creamy yet with harmonious acidity giving the wine shape and verve. Finishes with utterly suave tannins and explosive, building length. Wow! Jayer normally waits until his vines in the Hautes Cotes are ripe before he puts his pickers to work, with the result that the earlier-ripening Echezeaux normally achieves full phenolic maturity. In 2003, he didn't pick his first vineyard until early September.
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Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Harvested at 13.2% natural potential alcohol, the 2003 Echezeaux bursts with scents of dark fruits and spices. Medium to full-bodied and revealing a terrific liquid silk-like mouth-feel in the attack as well as mid-palate, this wine is filled with blackberries, black cherries, spices, and highly present, slightly firm tannin. Fresh, deep, and expressive, it reveals a long, structured finish. Projected maturity: 2009-2018. Importer: Robert Kacher Selections, Washington, DC; (202) tel. 832-9083
(September malo) Red-ruby. Perfumed nose is simultaneously roasted and fresh, with vibrant aromas of black cherry, minerals and espresso. Wonderfully sweet and perfumed in the mouth (the pH here is 3.45 and the alcohol 13.2%), with thoroughly ripe dark fruit flavors enlivened by cool notes of licorice and fresh herbs. This has density and sap, not to mention complete phenolic maturity. Finishes with palate-staining length and compelling perfume.