2005 Grand Echezeaux
By Domaine de la Romanee-Conti
2005 Grand Echezeaux from Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, Burgundy, France
Upon reflection, the 2005 Grand Echezeaux from Domaine de la Romanee-Conti encapsulates a year of magnificence for Burgundian viticulture. With a vintage character that is distinct in its structural depth and complexity, this particular offering captures the very epitome of what esteemed connoisseurs search for in fine red Burgundy.
Climatic Grace Meets Viticultural Precision
The 2005 vintage stood out as one laden with promise, displaying conditions that allowed pinot noir to flourish to an exquisite degree. Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, with its venerated tradition and meticulous attention to viticultural detail, realised an embodiment of excellence in the Grand Echezeaux. A season marked by a fortuitous alignment of climatic grace and viticultural precision has yielded a wine that, even after years of cellaring, resonates with poise and intensity.
A Testament to Time: The Patina of 2005 Vintage
The profundity of the 2005 Grand Echezeaux lies not solely in its bold fruit but in how it whispers tales of its native Echezeaux terroir through a mature patina. Crystallised black cherry intertwines with subtle earthiness, hints of potpourri and an ethereal truffle nuance reveal the impeccable balance of power and finesse. On the palate, the wine unfurls layers with each sip; sinuous tannins weave through an almost silk-like texture, heralding an elongated finish that resonates well beyond the moment.
Investing in this wine transcends mere aesthetic appreciation; it offers an opportunity to procure a chapter of vinous history whereby one can appreciate the evolution of this august nectar over time. As it continues to unfurl its nuance and complexity, the 2005 Grand Echezeaux remains a bastion among collectable wines for aficionados and investors alike.
In essence, the 2005 Grand Echezeaux from Domaine de la Romanee-Conti stands as a beacon for those versed in the sublime language of Burgundy's finest crus—a dialect spoken fluently by both the earth and vine as stewarded by human hands. For those seeking vinous treasure deserving space within their portfolio, this vintage epitomises an investable wine whose tale is still eloquently unfolding through its remarkable vitality and depth.
Current market price
£46,200.00
12x75cl
Highest score
95
POP score
3080
Scores and tasting notes
The 2005 Grands-Echezeaux displays an utterly different, less charming personality than its “little” sibling. Fresh black raspberry and black cherry hover between sorbet-like and faintly-caramelized manifestations. The palate is obviously dense, with considerable grip and ultra-fine tannins, incipient silkiness, but not the creaminess of the Echezeaux. Fresh berry, faintly tart fruit skin, and nut oils inform an uncannily kinetic finish that makes one’s mouth quiver. Once the grapes in these fabled vineyards had reached a potential alcohol of 13%, reports Aubert de Villaine, he was ready to pick, because conditions had seldom been so conducive to perfect ripeness (including that of the stems). It was all done in a week, commencing with La Tache and Romanee Conti, and finishing on September 23 with Romanee-St.-Vivant (and Montrachet, on which I shall report at a future date). De Villaine intended to bottle in March or April by gravity in six-barrel lots, as has become general practice here over the past decade. Importer: Wilson-Daniels, St. Helena, CA; tel. (707) 963-9661.
David Schildknecht - The Wine Advocate, 29 April 2007