1996 Echezeaux
By Domaine Dujac
1996 Echezeaux from Domaine Dujac, Burgundy, France
In the storied wine-growing annals of Burgundy, the 1996 Echezeaux from Domaine Dujac occupies a cherished chapter. This vintage is both celebrated and unique, emerging triumphantly from a year when climatic vagaries tested the mettle of Burgundian vignerons. A cold winter relinquished its grip reluctantly to a cool spring, setting the scene for a summer that fluctuated between warmth and briskness, an oscillation that imbued the grapes with an arresting complexity.
An Exquisite Vintage Unveiled
The 1996 Echezeaux from Domaine Dujac synthesises these conditions to present a wine of astounding poise and character. Upon indulging in this Burgundian treasure, one is immediately entranced by its ruby-hued clarity—a visual prelude to the experience ahead. The bouquet is a masterful orchestration: an earthy undercurrent melds with spirited cherry and seasoned wood spices, revealing itself slowly but with confident precision.
Domaine Dujac: A Testament to Terroir
Famed for its meticulous cultivation and reverence for terroir, Domaine Dujac has ensured that the 1996 Echezeaux articulates the essence of its origin. The palate echoes this sentiment, expressing a vibrant acidity balanced against refined tannins. There's an ethereal quality to this vintage that conveys nuance—a conversation between fruit and earthiness where neither dominates but rather complements in an enthralling minuet that lingers on the finish.
The ageing potential of this Echezeaux has not been overlooked by astute fine wine investors. Suffice it to say, bottles have been guarded judiciously in cellars, maturing into investment-worthy centrepieces resonating with the heritage of Domaine Dujac.
Concluding Thoughts: The Investment Charm of 1996 Echezeaux
The remarkable 1996 Echezeaux from Domaine Dujac encapsulates a singular moment in Burgundy's oenological timeline—combining skilled viniculture with serendipitous climate to craft a vintage that commands respect and admiration. Its longevity and distinction position it as an intelligent addition to any discerning investor’s portfolio. One can anticipate this expression will continue to grace and enhance collections, silently accruing value and prestige as it gracefully ascends towards its peak expression.
Current market price
£20,080.00
12x75cl
Highest score
89
POP score
2231.11
Scores and tasting notes
This ruby-colored wine offers aromas of red and black fruits and Asian spices. On the palate, this feminine, straightforward, medium-bodied, velvety-textured, and ripe wine reveals sweet red berries and toasty oak flavors. Its tannic finish leads me to believe this offering will require some cellaring. I would suggest drinking it between 2002 and 2006. My visit to the Domaine Dujac was perplexing. Jacques Seysses, the estate's owner and director, informed me that the 1996 vintage was defined by its low acidity. This statement was shocking to hear as I had already been tasting the vintage's wines for a few weeks (I had started at the southern extremity of the Cote d'Or and was working my way north) and everybody I had visited had expressed the contrary. Upon tasting Dujac's wines I understood his position. While 1996 reds at virtually every estate of the Cote are packed with crisp, juicy, and lively berry fruit, Dujac's are jammy, supple, and sultry - more reminiscent of 1985s or 1990s than 1996s. The hundreds of 1996s I tasted indicate that the Seysses are wrong in their assessment of the vintage as a whole, but simply reflects the character of their estate's wines. Seysses believes, and I concur, that his 1995s are more concentrated and structured - and will therefore require more cellaring - than his 1996s. The estate's yields were high in 1996 (almost fifty percent higher than in 1995), ranging from 48 hectoliters/hectare in the village appellations to 42 h/h for the grand crus, yet sugar levels were slightly higher than in 1995. Importer: Wilson-Daniels, St. Helena, CA; tel. (707) 963-9661.
Pierre Rovani - The Wine Advocate, 30 August 1998