Echezeaux, Grands Echezeaux Vosne Romanee Duvault Blochet DRC Selection 23 01 25
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Please see the following Echezeaux, Grands Echezeaux & Vosne Romanee Duvault Blochet DRC selection, all offered at the best prices in the market. Available ex-LCB Tilbury (lead times below). *We do not offer US, Canadian or Australian slip labels or stocks of questionable provenance and sources. Photos are available for many stocks.
1 case - 6/75cl Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 1993 @ £21,495 per 6 IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £27,995++) now – photo attached – C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian
Much like the '93 La Tâche (see multiple reviews herein), I confess to having decidedly mixed experiences with the '93 GE as well, with some bottles showing brilliantly and others being tight to the point of an almost surly austerity and revealing next to nothing. I expected more of the latter, given the vast format. Still, to my surprise, this was entirely civilized with its expressive and perfumed nose of Asian tea, spice elements, dried flowers and plenty of earth character. There is lovely complexity to the profound, dense and powerful big-bodied flavours that are still moderately firm but not hard while delivering excellent length. While this could be drunk now, I would be inclined to continue holding it if you're fortunate enough to own it in magnum or jeroboam formats. In sum, 1993 is a very good, if not genuinely great, vintage for the domain's Grand Ech. Tasted only once in jero.
93 points Allen Meadows, Burghound, Apr 2015, 2023+
1 case - 6/75cl Echezeaux Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 1995 @ £17,895 per 6 IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £19,995++) now – C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian – photo attached
Perfumed, sexy black fruit aromas explode from the glass, and the big, robust, structured, intense, full-bodied flavours display a wonderful sappy and spicy quality plus good, if not special, length. This is still moderately structured yet there is already a velvety quality to the finish that makes this really quite seductive. While the '95 Ech is certainly a quality effort, there is a small hole in the mid-palate that prevents this from rising to the next level. In short, it is delicious but not exceptional by the standards of this wine—consistent notes.
89 points Allen Meadows, Burghound, Nov 2005
1 case - 6/75cl Echezeaux Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 1996 @ £17,895 per 6 IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £19,995++) now – C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian
2 bottles - 1/75cl Echezeaux Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 1996 @ £2,595 per 6 IB & loose now – C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian
(Opened from personal storage). The Domaine de la Romanée-Conti fashioned outstanding '96s and while this will not challenge the dominance of its more esteemed stable mates, it is clearly a lovely effort. The expressive nose displays lovely spice and violet aromas that offer more elegance and finesse than usual and lead to rich, sweet and moderately structured flavors supported by bright but not aggressive acidity and excellent finishing persistence. I quite like the '96 Ech and while it can finally be approached now with pleasure it should be capable of holding at this level for years to come. Multiple, and consistent, notes.
91 points Allen Meadows, Burghound, Apr 2016
1 case - 3/75cl Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 1996 @ £9,995 per 3 IB & re-packed carton (Lowest Wine Searcher £11,008-£11,995++) now – C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian – photos available
(With thanks to Bruce Khouri). Deep ruby. What was once quite aromatically tight and backward has now begun to open to reveal elegant red and black fruit aromas nuanced by ample spice and warm earth nuances that are followed by middle weight, focused and still somewhat reserved flavors that culminate in a firm but not hard finish and while there is noticeable acidity present, it is not in the aggressive fashion that plagues any number of '96s. Over several hours, this becomes superbly elegant and spicy with outstanding precision and detail and it's clear that the extended aeration is the key to really getting all there is out of the '96 GE at this point. This is still on the way up and in good storage, it should live for decades. Moreover, given how many '96s are showing today, this has to rank among the best of the vintage. Multiple, and consistent, notes save for one bottle that exhibited definite signs of brett.
94 points Allen Meadows, Burghound, Apr 2016, 2021+
1 case - 6/75cl Echezeaux Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 1997 @ £18,395 per 6 IB & OWC now – C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian
(With thanks to Dr. Jeff Chen). The expressive nose is still extremely floral and trimmed in subtle but classic Vosne spice that introduces medium weight flavors of good richness but not as much nuance or grace that one might want as the otherwise reasonably complex finish displays a hint of greenness to the supporting structure. I was surprised at how well this was drinking given the extremely large format and while it will certainly hold for years to come, it's not clear that there will be any additional upside development. In short, while this is perfectly good for the vintage it's not particularly distinguished either.
89 points Allen Meadows, Burghound, Apr 2015, now+
1 case - 6/75cl Echezeaux Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 1998 @ £18,295 per 6 IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £19,995++)++) now – C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian
This is no longer so completely primary and while the nose has not yet reached full maturity, it is approaching it slowly but surely. The aromatic profile is very Vosne with ample blue and red berry fruit aromas cut with spice, earth and discreet game hints that lead to delicious, round and largely, if not completely, resolved middle weight flavors that display subtle mineral nuances on the long and lingering finish. While this could certainly be drunk now with pleasure, for my taste I would advise leaving the '98 Ech in the cellar for another 3 to 5 years and then drink over the next 10 to 15.
90 points Allen Meadows, Burghound, (9/2010)
3 cases - 6/75cl Vosne Romanee 1er Cru ‘Duvault Blochet’, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 1999 @ £16,295 per 6 IB & OWC (SIB) now – photo attached - C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian
(With thanks to Dr. Reed Day). A ripe and overtly spicy nose is now completely secondary in character though there is no sous-bois in evidence. The rich, round and utterly delicious middle weight flavors exhibit a subtle minerality on the focused finish that really fans out as it sits on the palate. To my taste this has now arrived at its peak and there is little, if any, further development to be had. With that said, this should have no problem holding at this level for another decade, perhaps even a bit longer. Tasted multiple times with consistent notes.
92 points Allen Meadows, Burghound, Sep 2017, now+
1 case - 6/75cl Echezeaux Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2000 @ £17,495 per 6 IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £18,600-£18,900++) now – C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian
Noticeable bricking though with a still healthy ruby core. An expressive nose offers up notes of sous-bois, ripe black fruits and perfumed aromas of fresh flowers, Asian spices and earth. There is good focus to the rich, solidly well-concentrated and relatively powerful flavors that are balanced and harmonious while terminating in a focused and impressively lingering finish where the supporting tannins are largely resolved. For my taste, this has reached its peak though it should continue to hold at this level for another decade, perhaps even longer.
93 points Allen Meadows, Burghound, Mar 2023, now+
1 case - 6/75cl Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2000 @ £20,495 per 6 IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £22,995++) now – C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian
The initial hints of bricking are present. An expressive nose freely reveals plenty of earth, exotic spice and floral nuances on the sous-bois-tinged secondary fruit scents. There is fine vibrancy and evident power to the broad-shouldered flavors that possess excellent depth and persistence on the balanced finale. For my taste this has arrived at its full maturity though Grands Echézeaux always seems to hold at its plateau remarkably well and the 2000 should prove to be no exception.
93 points Allen Meadows, Burghound, Mar 2023, now+
2 cases – 6/75cl Echezeaux Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2001 @ £16,295 per 6 IB & OWC now – C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian
1 bottle - 1/75cl Echezeaux Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2001 @ £2,695 per 6 IB & re-packed carton now – C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian
The latest bottle of this still youthful effort was notably bretty and while the hallmark spice and perfumed dark berry fruit elements were still visible, it would be fair to say that the brett was not additive. There is a lovely sense of vibrancy to the pure, sweet and remarkably powerful middle weight flavors that possess more volume than usual, all wrapped in a persistent and mouth coating finish. The amount of sève is impressive as is the sheer spiciness and this is a good deal more refined than in most vintages. I should also observe that while I found the brett off-putting, most people loved it. I have only tried this one bottle recently and thus I don't know whether it was representative of the wine in general and thus my score offers the benefit of the doubt that it wasn't.
92 points Allen Meadows, Burghound (9/2015)
2 cases - 6/75cl Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2001 @ £19,495 per 6 IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £20,250-£20,995++) now – C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian
(with thanks to Bruce Khouri; also opened from personal storage). All the promise this showed in my last review (see Issue 13) is alive and well and while the floral yet extremely earthy nose with elegant ripe, pure, intense, beautifully delineated crushed black fruit aromas is still quite expressive, the plum and anise laced broad-shouldered flavors that were closing down have begun to open once again. The finish displays firm, dusty, almost robust structure yet the tannins themselves seem refined and overall, this is an incredibly powerful wine, indeed even a forceful one but with no lack of class. There remains fine upside potential here and to that end I have slightly upgraded my score as this is a very special wine. I should note however that this has arrived at the stage of its evolution where it's clearly not yet fully mature but it's not so far away that it can't be enjoyed, particularly if given 30 minutes of air first.
94 points Allen Meadows, Burghound, Apr 2013, 2016+
1 case - 3/75cl Vosne Romanee 1er Cru ‘Duvault Blochet’, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2002 @ £7,795 per 3 IB & OWC now – C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian
(with thanks to Dr Reed Day). This is still quite fresh as the expressive nose displays only hints of secondary development to the spicy and overtly floral dark berry fruit aromas. There is a lovely sense of purity and minerality to the delicious and round yet precise and intense middle weight flavors that offer fine finishing detail and persistence. This is a very pretty wine that to my taste has almost reached its peak though I underscore that it should hold for another 15 years and perhaps even longer. Good juice.
92 points Allen Meadows, Burghound, Jul 2016
4 cases - 3/75cl Echezeaux Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2002 @ £8,795 per 3 IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £9,500++) now – C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian
1 case – 1/150cl Echezeaux Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2002 @ £4,995 per 1 MAGNUM IB & re-packed carton (Lowest Wine Searcher £6,495++) now – photo attached 00137 - split OWC6 allocation - C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian
1 case – 1/150cl Echezeaux Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2002 @ £4,295 per 1 MAGNUM IB & re-packed carton now – photo attached 00136 – bin soiled, slight signs of old seepage - priced accordingly - split OWC6 allocation - C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian
Deep ruby. This too is very spicy and even more aromatically expressive revealing linear, taut, intense, wonderfully complex, solidly structured flavors that display impressive acid/fruit/tannin balance. This culminates in a gorgeous inner mouth perfume and a tight, very firm finish of notable length. This may have over achieved in 2002 relative to its usual standard.
93 points Allen Meadows, Burghound
1 case - 3/75cl Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2002 @ £8,995 per 3 IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £9,650-£10,995++) now – C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian – photo attached
This is still exceptionally youthful with wonderfully spicy and highly complex red pinot fruit aromas that are enhanced by subtle nuances of floral notes, damp earth, underbrush and even a hint of game. The big, muscular but utterly refined full-bodied flavors are superbly intense, reserved and backward yet not hard as there is plenty of sap that buffers the firm but remarkably sophisticated tannins on the stunningly lengthy finish. This is a very concentrated wine of real breed and impeccable balance that should age for at least 3 decades and perhaps longer. A most impressive Grands Ech that is very much still on the way up. Consistent notes.
94 points Allen Meadows, Burghound, Apr 2017, 2024+
1 case - 3/75cl Echezeaux Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2003 @ £8,995 per 3 IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £9,630-£10,250++) now – C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian
Exceptionally ripe and plumy with floral aromas that stop just short of being overtly surmature nuanced with spice, anise and warm earth that lead to rich, fat and very sweet, indeed even opulent flavors that are quite seductive but not overly complex. This is much riper than usual and finishes with a slight touch of chewy rusticity. This is clearly the wine most marked by the vintage.
89 points Allen Meadows, Burghound, Jan 2006, 2013+
1 case - 3/75cl Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2004 @ £8,995 per 3 IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £9,400-£9,850++) now – C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian
In contrast to the expressive spiciness of the Echézeaux, this is a clear notch up in elegance and is clearly finer with an ultra-high-toned floral and spice-infused nose that is almost completely closed in though this may be due to a subtle touch of reduction and I would suggest decanting this if you're going to try a bottle young. The linear and ultra pure medium full flavors trade more on finesse and refinement than what is usually a relatively powerful and muscular wine. This isn't a big wine but the superb detail and unmatched precision are stunning but be aware that it will be a wine for the patient as this is very understated at present and will very definitely require at least a decade of cellar time to really open up.
91 points Allen Meadows, Burghound, Jan 2007, 2014+
1 case - 3/75cl Echezeaux Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2005 @ £9,395 per 3 IB & OWC now – C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian
The soaring nose of spicy cassis, black cherry and violets this displayed from cask has now become very reserved and brooding, merging into rich, full and utterly delicious flavors that possess a beguiling texture and unusually fine tannins compared to what I typically see with the Ech. This is a big wine by any measure with excellent mid-palate density and superb length. Really good stuff and as the "value" play in the DRC line-up, one to strongly consider because it surpasses its normal quality level by more than a fair margin in 2005.
94 points Allen Meadows, Burghound, Jan 2008, 2020+
3 cases - 3/75cl Echezeaux Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2006 @ £7,995 per 3 IB & OWC now – C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian
Just as it was from the very beginning the expressive nose of maturing red and black fruit is markedly floral in character with a plethora of spice and earth nuances. There is good richness to the round and delicious middle weight flavors that possess an attractively textured and punchy finish that delivers good if not truly special depth and length. I very much like the overall sense of balance and about the only nit is a trace of backend warmth. This is approaching its initial drinking window though for my taste the '06 Ech should benefit from another 3 to 5 years or so of cellaring.
92 points Allen Meadows, Burghound, Apr 2015, 2018+
2 cases - 3/75cl Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2006 @ £9,295 per 3 IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £9,900-£10,500++) now – C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian
This remains moderately reserved yet even so there is wonderful complexity to the airy and layered nose that is distinctly floral while offering up a variety of spice notes, including anise, clove and soy nuances. There is terrific intensity to the pure and sleekly muscled flavors that possess real drive, indeed this does a slow but sure build from the mid-palate on through to the explosively long finish. This is a fascinating wine in that the natural robustness of a fine GE is present but the natural elegance of the vintage tames it somewhat and one could quite accurately describe the '06 GE as robustly elegant yet distinctly understated. Despite the elegance, this will need plenty of cellar time though curiously, there isn't the usual austerity, indeed while I wouldn't recommend it, this is one of the few vintages less than 20 years of age that a magnum could be enjoyed now even if there is still plenty of remaining upside potential.
94 points Allen Meadows, Burghound, Mar 2019, 2023+
1 case - 3/75cl Echezeaux Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2007 @ £7,595 per 3 IB & OWC (SIB) now – photo attached – C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian
A highly expressive, spicy and appealingly complex nose offers up fresh aromas of red berry fruit, floral nuances and soft Asian-style tea notes. The beautifully well-detailed, balanced and energetic flavors possess excellent transparency on the vibrant and mouth-coating finish.
91 points Allen Meadows, Burghound (3/2019)
1 case - 3/75cl Vosne Romanee 1er Cru ‘Duvault Blochet’, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2008 @ £7,995 per 3 IB & OWC now – C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian – photo attached
1 case - 6/75cl Vosne Romanee 1er Cru ‘Duvault Blochet’, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2008 @ £15,990 per 6 IB & OWC now – C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian
This is quite restrained at present with subtle spice and cool red fruit aromas leading to medium-bodied flavors that are fresh and quite pure before revealing a rich and detailed finish that is supported by firm but integrated tannins and excellent length. If there is a short coming, it's that there is limited depth though there is enough material that it may develop with a few years of bottle age.
90 points Allen Meadows, Burghound, Jan 2011, 2020+
1 case - 6/75cl Echezeaux Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2008 @ £14,895 per 6 IB & OWC (SIB) (Lowest Wine Searcher £17,100-£19,795++) now – photo attached – Caves Wengler, Luxembourg – back label available
2008 Echézeaux: (approximately 45 year old vines from 2 different climats, 90% of which is in Les Poulaillères and the other 10% is in Clos St. Denis). A notably riper, intensely spicy, airy and extremely fresh nose blends both red and blue berry fruit aromas as well as warm earth notes that continue onto the rich, velvety and mouth coating medium-bodied flavors that display a bit more minerality than I typically find, all wrapped in a firm, racy and driving finish that delivers outstanding length. This is a dramatically good effort because this is always very good, it is rarely great but in 2008, it’s first rate.
93 points Allen Meadows, Burghound /2023+
1 case - 3/75cl Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2008 @ £9,295 per 3 IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £10,995++) now
A broad array of classic Vosne spice elements add nuance to the super-fresh mildly earthy dark berry and rose petal aromas. The rich, full-bodied and palate staining big-bodied flavors flash a taut muscularity before culminating in a beautifully focused and precise finish that offers excellent persistence. Not surprisingly at only 10 years of age, this is still very young and a wine that will need at least 5 to 8 more years of bottle age first.
93 points Allen Meadows, Burghound, Apr 2018, 2023+
1 case - 3/75cl Vosne Romanee 1er Cru ‘Duvault Blochet’, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2009 @ £8,295 per 3 IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £8,800-£9,250++) now – C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian
A classic Vosne nose that is at once very spicy and very pinot offers up ripe yet very fresh red and black berry liqueur aromas. There is fine detail and excellent precision to the seductively textured medium-bodied flavors that possess outstanding depth and seriously good length as well. This may well be the best vintage for this wine ever made, at least since modern day production of it was recommenced in 1999. There is so much sap that it will be approachable young but age well too.
93 points Allen Meadows, Burghound (1/2012)
1 case - 3/75cl Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2010 @ £7,795 per 3 IB & re-packed carton now – C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian – split 6 allocation
2010 Grands Echézeaux: (55+ year old vines). Here the nose is noticeably more reserved and while ripe, the dense, gorgeously complex and highly spiced aromas are rather cool. Aggressive swirling does, if only grudgingly, liberate the notes of violets and rose petals, hoisin, soy and clove along with black pinot fruit, cassis and plum. The exceptionally rich but brooding, intense and very serious broad-shouldered flavors possess outstanding middle-weight concentration before culminating in an energetic and palate staining finish. This stunningly long effort is also quite fine by the usual standards of the appellation because while this is certainly muscular, it’s taut and sleek rather than forbidding. The “problem”, if you want to call it that, is that this lacks the depth of the Echézeaux. I stress that I am fully cognizant about not rushing to judgment at such an early juncture, particularly given this wine’s laudatory track record of outperforming vintage in and vintage out, but at present this is borderline one-dimensional even though all of the expected underlying material is present. What is clear is that this is extremely classy juice that will require 15 to 20 years to arrive at its full peak though what it will be when it arrives there is less clear than usual.
93 points Allen Meadows, Burghond /2025+
1 case - 1/150cl Echezeaux Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2011 @ £6,995 per 1 MAGNUM IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £7,995++) now – C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian
A discreet touch of wood sets off the gorgeously floral, ripe and wonderfully spicy nose of red currant, menthol, black cherry and cassis aromas. There is impressive volume and richness to the naturally sweet, silky and mouth coating medium weight flavors that are shaped by fine-grained tannins on the firm, complex, balanced and strikingly persistent finale that really fans out as it lingers on the palate. This wine continues to make really impressive progress.
93 points Allen Meadows, Burghound, Jan 2014, 2023+
1 case – 1/150cl Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2011 @ £7,895 per 1 MAGNUM IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £9,995++) now – C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian
2 cases – 3/75cl Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2011 @ £7,595 per 3 IB & OWC now – C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian
2011 Grands Echézeaux: (55+ year old vines). A brooding and still exceptionally primary nose with a wide variety of floral elements on the cassis, plum liqueur scents that display anise, clove and once again sandalwood hints. There is imposing
power to the large-scaled but not massive flavors that possess fine mid-palate density as well as an abundance of palate soaking dry extract before culminating in an explosively long finish. I like the balance as well as the notable depth of material though it will require plenty of time for it to reveal its full potential.
94 points Allen Meadows, Burghound /2028+
1 case - 3/75cl Echezeaux Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2012 @ £6,995 per 3 IB & BANDED OWC now – C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian – photos attached
1 case - 1/150cl Echezeaux Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2012 @ £7,595 per 1 MAGNUM IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £8,495++) now – C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian
Here the floral and spice characters are quite prominent on the sandalwood and spice suffused red and dark currant aromas. The suave yet well-detailed medium-bodied flavors brim with dry extract before terminating in a very firm but not hard green tea-inflected finish that delivers excellent length and impressive depth. I very much like the balance and about the only nit is a hint of warmth. As I have observed several times recently, this wine continues to make real progress relative to what was typically good but not exceptional quality in the context of the appellation. 2012 definitely continues that upward progress.
93 points Allen Meadows, Burghound, Jan2015, 2027+
1 case - 3/75cl Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2012 @ £8,295 per 3 IB & OWC now –C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian
A more deeply pitched and more complex nose also evidences plenty of floral influence on the gorgeously spicy red and black pinot fruit scents that are trimmed in just enough wood to notice. There is excellent volume and punch to the big-bodied, concentrated and brooding flavors that also brim with an abundance of dry extract, all wrapped in an intensely mineral-driven, explosive and strikingly persistent finish. What I find interesting is how such a big wine delivers this much power and muscle with no impression of weight or undue heaviness. As is usually the case at this early juncture, this is very tight, compact and linear and a wine that is going to need at least 18 to 20 years to reveal its full potential.
94 points Allen Meadows, Burghound, Jan 2015+
1 case - 1/150cl Echezeaux Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2013 @ £6,995 per 1 MAGNUM IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £7,995++) now – C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian
A beautifully spicy if distinctly reticent nose features notes of cassis, plum, violets, lilac, herbal tea and sandalwood. There is excellent richness to the generously proportioned and very suave medium-bodied flavors that deliver fine depth and length on the balanced, focused and attractively vibrant finale that displays just a hint of youthful edginess. While this should age effortlessly it should also be more approachable sooner than the Corton.
92 points Allen Meadows, Burghound, Jan 2016, 2025+
2 cases - 3/75cl Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2013 @ £7,995 per 3 IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £8,200-£8,995++) now – C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian
Like the Ech this is aromatically quite restrained but aggressive swirling eventually coaxes an intensely floral and strikingly perfumed nose to reveal notes of elegant red berries, anise, exotic tea and soft wood hints. This is very Grands Ech in character with its sleekly muscular big-bodied flavors that display outstanding intensity on the moderately austere, backward and notably more structured finale. Interestingly this is only slightly more persistent than the Ech though this could very well change in time as there is clearly more underlying material.
93 points Allen Meadows, Burghound, Jan 2016, 2031+
2 cases - 3/75cl Echezeaux Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2014 @ £6,995 per 3 IB & OWC now – C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian
2014 Echézeaux: (approximately 45+ year old vines from 2 different climats, 90% of which is in Les Poulaillères and the remainder is in Clos St. Denis). A wonderfully complex nose features a broad array of spice elements with those of plum, violet, sandalwood and Asian-style tea that are also trimmed in soft wood nuances. There is good punch to the refined, cool and pure medium-bodied flavors that possess better concentration on the balanced, persistent and youthfully austere finale where the only nit is a very subtle hint of warmth. Of all of the wines in the Domaine’s portfolio, in my view the Ech is the most improved over the last 10 years and it shows as the 2014 is bigger and more powerful than usual.
94 points Allen Meadows, Burghound /2029+
3 cases - 3/75cl Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2014 @ £7,695 per 3 IB & OWC now - C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian
Here the expressive nose is even spicier and more floral with its lovely array of rose petal, lilac and lavender scents adding elegance to the mostly dark pinot and earth aromas that are also trimmed in a bit of wood but in this case it is even more subtle. As is virtually always the case this is bigger, richer, more powerful and more muscular with excellent volume to the rich and mouth coating flavors that deliver superb length on the chiseled, robust and hugely long finale. Patience will definitely be required.
95 points Allen Meadows, Burghound, Jan 2017, 2032+
2 cases - 3/75cl Echezeaux Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2015 @ £7,695 per 3 IB & OWC now – C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian
A wonderfully spicy, fresh and equally ripe nose blends together more deeply pitched notes of plum, violet, plum, sandalwood and hoisin wisps. There is impressive richness to the seductively textured yet quite powerful full-bodied flavors that possess excellent density thanks to the abundant dry extract that does a fine job of buffering the firm but not rigid tannins on the mouth coating and strikingly long finish. This is built-to-age and like the Corton, this has made huge quality strides over the past ten vintages.
94 points Allen Meadows, Burghound, Jan 2018, 2030+
2 cases - 3/75cl Echezeaux Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2017 @ £6,495 per 3 IB & OWC now - C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian
A completely different nose offers up much spicier and slightly toastier aromas of red currant, pomegranate, sandalwood and an interesting hint of incense. There is excellent vibrancy to the attractively textured middle weight flavors that don't have the minerality of the Corton but do offer slightly better depth and precision on the lingering finale that is shaped by relatively fine-grained tannins. This should be approachable a bit earlier than usual.
93 points Allen Meadows, Burghound, 2029+
1 case - 3/75cl Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2017 @ £6,995 per 3 IB & OWC now - C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian
2017 Grands Echézeaux: (from a holding of 3.53 ha of 55+ year old vines). A cooler, more elegant and equally spicy nose of mostly red fruits and Asian-style tea is wonderfully fresh if notably more restrained. As is typically the case there is more size and weight to the broad-shouldered flavors that are shaped by firmer and slightly less fine-grained tannins on the impressively persistent finish. This is not as concentrated or powerful as it usually is but even so, it is going to require at least 10 years or so of patience and should amply reward 15 to 18.
94 points Allen Meadows, Burghound /2032+
2 cases - 3/75cl Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2018 @ £8,395 per 3 IB & OWC (SIB) now – photo attached - C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian
Here too there is a touch of oak toast surrounding the notably ripe but markedly restrained aromas of black cherry liqueur, violet, lavender, exotic tea and sandalwood. The rich, full-bodied and muscular flavors also brim with sappy dry extract that possess a seductive mouthfeel before culminating in a hugely long finish. Like the Echézeaux, this is a big, bold and robust effort that should develop gradually over the next 25 to 30 years. This contrast of power and refinement is potentially one of the greatest Grands Echézeaux the Domaine has produced in the 21st C though the 2019 will be a worthy rival.
95 points Allen Meadows, Burghound (1/2021)
1 case - 3/75cl Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru, Domaine de la Romanee Conti 2019 @ £8,695 per 3 IB & OWC (Lowest Wine Searcher £8,700-£9,600++) now - C&B stock bought EP stored Octavian
2019 Grands Echézeaux: (from a holding of 3.53 ha of 55+ year old vines; from yields of 28 hl/ha). Once again, the nose is super-floral with ripe but airy and elegant aromas of various dark berries, star anise, dried tangerine peel, warm earth and a plethora of spice elements. As is virtually always the case, there is better size, weight and muscle present on the broad-shouldered flavors that delivers stunningly good length on the equally compact and beautifully well-balanced finale. There is superb complexity and overall, this is breathtakingly good though as always with this wine, be prepared to allow for ample bottle age as the supporting tannic spine is very firm. Magnificent.
96 points Allen Meadows, Burghound /2039+
Payment Terms – Strictly 14 days on invoice for physical stocks (payment upon landing for later arrivals), and prior to stock transfer. Offered ex-LCB Tilbury, deliveries to other bonds charged at cost.
Subject to remaining unsold and final invoice confirmation. E&OE
