One of the best Echézeaux I've had from DRC in recent years, with very little to choose between it and the normally superior Grands Echézeaux bottling, this is more deeply coloured than usual. It's spicy and stemmy, with a good core of sweetness, bright acidity and textured fruit.

Drinking Window: 2016 - 2027

Review Date: 1st January 2014

A rich, explosive wine, the 2012 Échézeaux is a real overachiever. Here the flavors are expansive, dense and layered, with all of the intensity of the year very much in evidence. Discussing the relative merits of vineyards is one of the central aspects of appreciating Burgundy. This tasting shows why Échézeaux is not as highly regarded as some other grand crus. Specifically, the quality of the wines is more vintage dependent here than it is elsewhere.

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.

I adored the 2012 Echézeaux Grand Cru from barrel and I adore it from bottle. Picked on September 29-30 at 22 hectoliters per hectare, those explosive aromatics from barrel are replicated here with bright red cherries, kirsch and rose petals, all beautifully defined and imbued with a sense of exuberance. The palate is medium-bodied with supple ripe tannin, a dash of white pepper on the tip of the tongue and a beautifully poised, elegant finish. This is an Echézeaux determined to be above its station. Wonderful. 1,057 cases produced.

Drinking Window: 2017 - 2032

Reviewer Name: Neal Martin

Review Date: 28th February 2015

Mid depth of crimson. Immediately much nervier and more savoury than the Corton just before it. Open and transparent with great savour and just a hint of milky coffee. But chiefly this is muscular and racy. Great energy and surprisingly open. It would be dangerously easy to drink it already. Presumably it will close up…? Not much change after 45 minutes though the energy is still impressive.