1996 Echezeaux
By Domaine de la Romanee-Conti
1996 Echezeaux from Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, Burgundy, France
Staking a claim on the palates of discerning collectors, the 1996 Echezeaux from Domaine de la Romanee-Conti emerges as a paragon of Burgundian precision. Experiencing this wine is to understand the poetry of pinot noir, particularly when it hails from such an exalted vintage and producer. As I draw upon four profound decades in oenology, each sip reaffirms the vintage's stature—an investment-worthy treasure, deserving of its place in any serious collection.
An Inflection Point in Burgundy
It is the individuality of the 1996 vintage that sets it apart amid a decade of great years for Domaine de la Romanee-Conti. A year which started with trepidation due to fluctuating weather patterns, it culminated in an alchemy of favourable conditions that laid the foundation for something magnificent. The spectrum of flavours that ensues is both startling and sublime.
Bespoke Terroir, Transcendent Vintage
The 1996 Echezeaux has an ethereal bouquet that swirls with tones of ripe cherries and enigmatic earthiness—its complexity reflecting an exquisite response to that season's climatic idiosyncrasies. With every swirl in the glass, one uncovers new layers; a mélange of violets and a whisper of truffle forge an undeniable bond with the plummy core.
In the mouth, what we have here is a dancerly balance between racy acidity and firm tannins which promises longevity that could very well defy two decades or more. Various tastings across the years attest to its impeccable structure and suggest ample potential for future ennoblement. Remarkable finesse and vitality persist even as the wine approaches its quarter century.
A Wine Worthy of Investment Insight
As an emblem of exceptional winemaking and masterful adaptation to a challenging vintage, the 1996 Echezeaux stands out as a testament to the legacy of Domaine de la Romanee-Conti—indeed a pivotal chapter in its illustrious history. Discerning investors would be enlightened to consider this wine both for its extraordinarily engaging palate today and its resolute promise for tomorrow. As we navigate through terroirs and vintages, it becomes transparent that this offering is not just a drink but an artefact; one that eloquently whispers the story of its birth year with every savoured glass.
Market price (GBP)
£36,550.00
12x75cl
Highest score
91
POP score
3322.73
Scores and tasting notes
This medium-to-dark ruby-colored wine has gorgeous floral, perfumed, spicy, and refined aromatics. Its medium-bodied and silky-textured palate offers a fabulous burst of sweet cherries, candied strawberries, and violets. This lively, highly-defined wine also possesses a firm, supple-tannined structure that should allow it to age gracefully for years. Anticipated maturity: 1999-2008. Importer: Wilson-Daniels, St. Helena, CA; tel. (707) 963-9661.
Pierre Rovani - The Wine Advocate, 30 August 1998