Domaine de la Romanée Conti, Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru 2009

robert_parker95

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Quantities of the Grands Echezeaux are down due to the domaine’s selected replanting program and the decision to sell off the fruit from younger vines to negociants. It has a very perfumed, more feminine bouquet than the Echezeaux 2009, greater delicacy and delineation with subtle notes of crushed strawberry, raspberry and crushed stone. The palate is medium-bodied with a very fine backbone and precision, a Grands Echezeaux with immense focus. The fruit profile is darker than the Echezeaux with more weight on the finish, offering subtle notes of strawberry, redcurrant and a touch of spice. The finish is crisp and dry, leaving the minerals to do the talking on the aftertaste. This is a superb wine that should flesh out nicely over the next decade. Tasted February 2012.

robert_parker94

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted out of barrel at the Domaine. The ’09 Grands Echezeaux appears very promising. Subtle red cherries and redcurrant on the nose entwined with a touch of Japanese yuzu and later, a puff of smoke. The palate is very elegant and refined with fine tannins, a Grands Echezeaux that does not overwhelm with its power, but seems to shimmer from start to finish. Just a little disjointed towards the finish at the moment, but this be rectified by next year. Tasted November 2010.

robert_parker95

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

The 2009 Grands-Echezeaux jumps from the glass with vivid aromatics and equally voluptuous fruit. Despite its richness, the Grands-Echezeaux seems to hover on the palate. Layers of fruit continue to build to the long super-refined finish. Over the last few years the Grands-Echezeaux seems like the most improved wine at DRC. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2039. Domaine de la Romanee-Conti’s 2009s have turned out just as brilliantly as I had hoped. The wines reflect the signature qualities of the year, but never lose their essential classicism. Long-time DRC fans know the domaine bottles in six-barrel lots, which naturally introduces a level of bottle variation that is not found in most other wines. I hope the massive amount of information that has recently come to light regarding counterfeit wines and their proliferation might be the catalyst for the domaine to consider bottling their wines in one homogenous lot, as is common for the vast majority of high-quality wines throughout the world. Once the domaine’s wines mature in 20-30 years it will be impossible to tell the difference between ‘normal’ bottle variation, poorly stored bottles and very good fakes. Certainly consumers who are willing and able to pay the prices these wines fetch are at the very least deserving of a consistent product. Importer: Wilson-Daniels, St. Helena, CA; tel. (707) 963-9661

vinous96

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

The 2009 Grands Echézeaux Grand Cru is lush, radiant and super-expressive. Rose petal, blood orange, anise and cinnamon lend striking aromatic presence. Ample and generous with plenty of supporting structure, the 2009 Grands Echézeaux is stellar today, and so rewarding to drink now.

vinous96

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

The 2009 Grands Échézeaux Grand Cru is not going to win any awards for nuance, but it is explosive, hedonistically satisfying and just tremendously delicious. After all, the first thing a wine should do is deliver pleasure. The 2009 GE certainly does that. Wow.

vinous94

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

The 2009 Grands-Échézeaux is incredibly closed in on itself. A huge, intense wine, the 2009 possesses superb depth and density. Hints of red berry, tobacco and bramble open up in the glass, but only with great reluctance. This is a decidedly powerful, structured vintage for the Grands-Échézeaux, so patience is going to be the key.

vinous95

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

The 2009 Grands-Echézeaux jumps from the glass with vivid aromatics and equally voluptuous fruit. Despite its richness, the Grands-Echézeaux seems to hover on the palate. Layers of fruit continue to build to the long super-refined finish. Over the last few years the Grands-Echézeaux seems like the most improved wine at DRC.

vinous94

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

Good full deep red. Musky aromas of raspberry, spices and citrus zest. Denser than the Echezeaux but youthfully imploded today, with a strong spiciness and notes of herbs and pepper giving this very young wine terrific energy for the vintage. Has the impressive body and breadth of 2009 while retaining a sappy, juicy quality. The very long finish features serious tannic spine.

vinous94

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

Good full red. Tangy but slightly reduced aromas of black raspberry and violet. Juicy, bright and tight, with a serious structure beneath its reticent dark fruit, spice and pepper flavors. A bit youthfully disjointed today but sharply delineated and not at all sloppy.