Domaine Romanee Conti Grands Echezeaux 2022

Grands-Echézeaux was formerly known as Echézeaux du Bas (which makes total sense if you look at where this hallowed piece of vineyard land is situated within the Vosne-Romanée territory and in relation to Echézeaux). Here too DRC is once again the largest landowner in the grand cru (3.53 hectares -actually, 3.5263 hectares, to be precise- of a total 9.18 hectares). And like in Echézeaux, the winery’s vines grow in the northern end of the cru. The topsoil is however characterized by a thicker clay-rich layer compared to Echézeaux, which helps explain not just Grands-Echézeaux’s bigger wines compared to those of Echézeaux but also why they are more often than not of a more regular quality level too (and in my experience, this is so in almost every vintage, as the thicker layer of topsoil and the clay can potentially help in times of water deprivation and stress). Though some pundits beg to differ, I have basically always found that, outside of a few amazing renditions of Echézeaux du Dessus in specific vintages, wines from Echézeaux always play second fiddle to those of Grands-Echézeaux. Admittedly, that’s quite some “second fiddle’, but still, this is one instance in which, at least in my opinion, the “Grands” descriptor in a wine name actually carries its weight well. Last but not least, anybody with a little experience with DRC’s wines knows full well that of all the estate’s wines, it is the Grands-Echézeaux that delivers the most “bang for your buck”. Choosing between the DRC wines is practically an impossible task, as they are all outstanding, unique and speak of specific, distinct, terroirs; but if you factor in cost per bottle, then what the DRC Grands-Echézeaux wine delivers is quite unlike anything else in the world of wine.

The DRC Grands Echézeaux was picked much earlier than the Echézeaux (between 2-4 September); perhaps this is why it seems less forward. The colour, however, is intense, and although the wine is less expressive, it is more substantial, with a more tannic grip and better length. The texture on the palate is dense and concentrated, and the flavour of dark chocolate develops with time. This wine should open well in five to seven years and has the substance to last at least another 30 beyond that.

Drink: 2030-2070