The nose is much more understated than the last couple of wines but it really pulls you in with its extra floral dimension – very lovely. In the mouth this is full-on – don’t be deceived by the nose but the structure is quite soft. The flavour expands in the mid-palate bringing the high-toned floral notes of the nose into play – a long slow diminuendo of a finish – very lovely.
Grands-Echézeaux
1990 Romanée-Conti Grands-Echézeaux
2004 Engel René Grands-Echézeaux
Medium ruby-red – I caught myself admiring the late-evening sun as it beautifully reflected through the glass. The nose is not immune to the vintage character; it starts at an encouragingly low level but disappointingly blooms in the glass – maybe to a 6/10 level. Below the mirepoix is a creamy, faintly lactic depth – and depth this wine certainly has. Wide in the mouth, the acidity has a slightly jarring, sharp leading edge – give it an hour of aeration and this mainly but not completely tones down. The texture is very fine and the width and depth are high-class indeed. The length, despite its persistence, currently holds onto some of that character. Today this isn’t a fitting tribute to Philippe, so take any of 99-2003 to toast him – they are all drinking well. I hope that my other bottles of this will come good in another 10 years or so…
2008 de Villamont Henri Grands-Echézeaux
2002 Drouhin Joseph Grands-Echézeaux
1990 Drouhin Joseph Grands-Echézeaux
Still deeply coloured. The nose starts with forceful aromas of freshly turned leaves, after 30 minutes it’s on a lower lever but my glass actually needed almost an hour to finally develop sweet and detailed dried red fruits, meat and herbs – the aromas were probably peaking as I was sleeping in my bed – but burgundians don’t decant do they 😉 In the mouth this is sweet and quite powerful. The mid-palate structure is actually a little rustic, but who cares when there are so many dimensions of flavour. Energy and character here, and it’s a long way from it’s peak – bravo!
1972 Clos Frantin Grands-Echézeaux
A slightly porty fruit quickly, but not entirely gives way to beef, almonds, width and warmth – impressive and very complex. The acidity just has a hint of balsamic character, so probably best not to leave this for another 30+ years, but there is width and dimension on the perfectly textured mid-palate and it’s very long. This was savoured over about 3+ hours and it never faded. Super.
2002 Engel René Grands-Echézeaux
Medium ruby-red. The nose has hints of dark, spicy oak and turned earth – as the glass drains there are beautiful flashes of red berries. Perfect freshness and still grainy, though generally background tannins. The flavours make a broad panorama on the tongue and are a mix of red berries and more raisined, lingering notes. Very long. I had the 99 a few months ago, but this seems much better focused and ‘together’ if perhaps not quite as concentrated. A lovely bottle and far from a shame to enjoy now.
2007 Potel Nicolas Grands-Echézeaux
10% stems here. More aromatic width but less depth versus the Echézeaux, but the complexity is on a higher level and there’s a faint muskiness. Fills the mouth with pure, ripe fruit then a super mid-palate burst. Last thoughts are a hint of astringency that’s long forgotten as the flavour eventually fades – super.