Domaine de la Romanée Conti, Echezeaux Grand Cru 2016

robert_parker91

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2016 Echezeaux Grand Cru was cropped at just six hectoliters per hectare because of the frost, which equates to just 12 barrels. I felt that the new oak came a little more strongly through the aromatics and rather obstructed the terroir expression at the moment. The palate is medium-bodied with quite conspicuous oak: firm tannins that encase dark berry fruit, a touch of orange rind and then a tang of black pepper on the finish. I await to see if this will subsume the oak during the remainder of its barrel maturation, whether when tasted it was the closing winter months accentuating the wood or a factor of such a low quantity of production. Let’s see.

vinous94

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

(just seven hectoliters per hectare produced): Bright, dark red. Very pure but subdued scents of black cherry, blueberry, spiced tea and violet. Seriously concentrated but youthfully imploded, conveying a penetrating quality to its remarkably dense flavors of dark fruits, licorice and minerals. Finishes very long and powerful, with outstanding building length and grip. Note that very few first-generation buds survived the late-April frost either here or in the estate's Grands-Echézeaux vines, so both of these wines are made mostly from the contra-bourgeons (i.e., the second set of buds).