Domaine de la Romanée Conti, Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru 2003

robert_parker92

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted blind, the 2003 Grands Echézeaux from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti impressed its audience and duped everyone from thinking it heralded from the 2003 vintage. It has a potent ripe strawberry, mulberry and dried rose petal nose that actually had to throw off a little reduction upon first acquaintance. The palate is medium-bodied with layers of sappy red berry fruit. The initial tightness gradually dissipates to reveal quite a "stocky" Grands Echézeaux with good length, if not the detail of a top vintage from this vineyard.

robert_parker96

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

A limpid ruby hue, perhaps a little lighter than the Echezeaux. The nose is completely different: much more closed, more complex with black tea, earth and mushroom. Not so much fruit-driven: a wine of the "earth". Then develops after five minutes in the glass, becoming fresher, more lifted floral even. Very mercurial, you need to leave this in the glass and let it evolve naturally. Smooth, silky entry. Well-knit and very focused. It does not quite have the depth on the mid-palate, this is more a feminine, elegant Grands Echezeaux with a long sweet cherry-infused finish. A lovely wine, but perhaps not as long-lasting as the 2002. (470 cases produced) Tasted February 2006.

robert_parker96

Reviewed by: Pierre Rovani

The 2003 Grands-Echezeaux, which bursts with aromas of jammy blackberries as well as black cherries, is medium to full-bodied and fleshy. Sappy black fruits and distinctive notes of black chocolate are found in its expressive, bold personality. Refined, pure, and muscular, this wine exhibits huge amounts of firm – yet ripe – tannin. Projected maturity: 2009-2020. Importer: Wilson-Daniels, St. Helena, CA; tel. (707) 963-9661