Domaine de la Romanee Conti   Echezeaux

2016 Echezeaux

By Domaine de la Romanee-Conti

2016 Echezeaux from Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, Burgundy, France

The loftier echelons of Burgundy are graced with the hallowed name of Domaine de la Romanee-Conti (DRC), a beacon that embodies the soul and saga of this storied region. Every vintage unfurls its distinct narrative, and the tale of 2016 Echezeaux is steeped in the ethos of survival and triumph.

 

Resilience in the Vineyard: A 2016 Vintage

Some vintages are forged in adversity; this is true for burgundy in 2016 where vines endured testing climatic extremes. A year marked by devastating frosts followed by a mildew threat made for one of the most challenging growing seasons in recent memory. Yet out of this tribulation, the tenacious vines at DRC revealed their resilience, offering fruit with an intensity and a depth that only a great estate could evoke from such a demanding year.

 

A Nuanced Odyssey: The Palate of Perseverance

Tasting the 2016 Echezeaux—an odyssey within itself—one appreciates the dance between elegant complexity and vigorous structure that defines this wine. It paints the palate with strokes of dark cherries and ripe red fruit that belie a nuanced undercurrent of earthy terroir and delicate spices. The seductive whisper of floral notes is deftly interwoven, a testament to the time-honoured winemaking practices at DRC.

A reflection of its vintage, this Echezeaux has a mesmerising tension threaded through its being—an embodiment of both strength and finesse—a duality that only the finest vintners can coax from such capricious climatic conditions.

 

An Investment Worthy Vintage?

Investment-wise, there's an allure to owning a piece of history. With yields notably reduced, 2016 stands apart in rarity. The solidarity shown by these vines brings forth not just a remarkable wine but also a potentially prized asset for fine wine investors.

The 2016 Echezeaux from Domaine de la Romanee-Conti transcends merely being delectable—it narrates a story of victory over vicissitudes. This particular vintage appeals to connoisseurs and investors alike; its provenance exemplary, its quality indisputable—a symbol of winemaking prowess amidst nature's whims.

In summary, those who seek to diversify their portfolios with vintages hallmarked by stories as complex as their palates would find common cause with this bottling. The 2016 Echezeaux's tapestry is woven with threads spun from hardship, resulting in another charismatic thread in the intricate tapestry that is Domaine de la Romanee-Conti's living legacy.

Current market price

£32,070.00

12x75cl

Highest score

90

POP score

3207

Scores and tasting notes

89-91

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.

Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 29 December 2017

Vintage performance