Domaine de la Romanée Conti, Echezeaux Grand Cru 2015

robert_parker95

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2015 Echézeaux Grand Cru was the last cru to be picked between 12-14 September at 22 hectoliters per hectare and when I tasted it in November, it had been racked due to a high level of reduction. Perhaps as no surprise, it took some coaxing from the glass. There is plenty of dark berry fruit, blackberry and raspberry leaf, plenty of sous-bois character—correct and quite linear. The palate is medium-bodied with quite firm tannin, a more structured Echézeaux than usual. Dark berry fruit, a hint of tea leaf, quite saline in the mouth with a crisp, quite penetrating finish that actually took me back. To me, this is an Echézeaux that will be damned if it is going to be eternally cited as the "lesser" of the domaine's vineyards and wants to make an impression. And it does. Don't be foolish enough to underestimate this.

robert_parker93

Reviewed by: William Kelley

After the more restrained Corton, the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti's 2015 Échézeaux Grand Cru bursts from the glass with a flamboyant bouquet of mulberry, black cherry, wood smoke and a lavish framing of new oak. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, concentrated and intense, with a classically firm chassis of tannin and a lovely core of sappy, succulent fruit. This was the last of DRC's vineyards to be harvested, but despite its overtly ripe aromas and flavors, it retains superb acidity and focus and should amply reward cellaring. Cropped at 26 hectoliters per hectare and harvested September 12 and 14.

vinous93

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2015 Echézeaux Grand Cru was cropped at 25.70hl/ha and picked on 12 and 14 September. It has an engaging bouquet that offers a mixture of red and blue fruit, perhaps more floral than I have discerned in previous vintages, hint of crushed violet surfacing after 10 to 15 minutes in the glass. There is something playful about this Echézeaux. It’s a little ingenue. The palate is medium-bodied with juicy ripe fruit with commendable density, a little more sinew and backbone than previous vintages, albeit without the tension and complexity of its siblings on the finish. This is an impressive Echézeaux that should drink younger than its siblings. Tasted at Corney & Barrow’s annual in bottle tasting in London.

vinous94

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

Dark red with ruby tones; the darkest of these 2015s today. Captivating high-pitched, slightly high-toned scents of raspberry, minerals, spices and violet. Intensely flavored, youthfully tight and gripping, conveying terrific energy and subtle sweetness. The flavors of black plum and berries are darker than those of the Corton. As sharply delineated as this classy Echézeaux is, it also possesses plenty of baby fat. Finishes with substantial fine-grained tannins and outstanding length. A superb vintage for this cuvée.

vinous95

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

(racked): Almost liqueur-like aromas of raspberry, plum and sweet oak. Very sweet, thick wine with terrific fullness to its dense flavors of black and red fruits and spices. This huge, extract-rich wine is given shape and grip by firm acidity and tannins that reach the molars. Looks to be a splendid vintage for this grand cru.

vinous95

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

The 2015 Echézeaux Grand Cru was cropped at 25.70hl/ha and picked on 12 and 14 September. It has an engaging bouquet that offers a mixture of red and blue fruit, perhaps more floral than I have discerned in previous vintages, hint of crushed violet surfacing after 10 to 15 minutes in the glass. There is something playful about this Echézeaux. It’s a little ingenue. The palate is medium-bodied with juicy ripe fruit with commendable density, a little more sinew and backbone than previous vintages, albeit without the tension and complexity of its siblings on the finish. This is an impressive Echézeaux that should drink younger than its siblings. Tasted at Corney & Barrow’s annual in bottle tasting in London.

robert_parker93

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

After the more restrained Corton, the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti's 2015 Échézeaux Grand Cru bursts from the glass with a flamboyant bouquet of mulberry, black cherry, wood smoke and a lavish framing of new oak. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, concentrated and intense, with a classically firm chassis of tannin and a lovely core of sappy, succulent fruit. This was the last of DRC's vineyards to be harvested, but despite its overtly ripe aromas and flavors, it retains superb acidity and focus and should amply reward cellaring. Cropped at 26 hectoliters per hectare and harvested September 12 and 14.