2011 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits, France
There is Romanée-Conti, and then there is everything else. Universally hailed as the absolute greatest Domaine on planet Earth, the historic estate has long created and continues to produce the finest Pinot Noir, as well as the most sought-after bottles for any and all collectors. Both age-worthy and able to be consumed within the first 5 years of release (or don't touch them for fifteen, warns Aubert de Villaine), DRC, its affectionate moniker, is THE centerpiece of any collection.
94 Points - Vinous
“Dark cherry, plum, cloves and menthol are some of the many notes that wrap around the palate in the 2011 Grands-Échézeaux. This is an especially dark, somber Grands-Échézeaux. Today the tannins are quite firm and the wine is holding back much of its potential, but it possesses superb depth that will only fully emerge after a number of years in the cellar. Sweet tobacco, savory herbs and leather wrap around a finish infused with gravitas. (AG)” Review Date: 03/2014
93 Points - Wine Advocate
“The Grands Echezeaux 2011 was picked on 9 and 10 September at 25.33hl/ha. There is certainly more intensity and fruitiness on the nose compared to the Echezeaux. The aromatics here feel fuller, rounder and more harmonious that its sibling. As the wine remains in the glass there are subtle cassis notes that begin to emerge accompanied by over-ripe oranges. The palate is well balanced and fresh on the entry, with slightly powdery tannins. It is very harmonious with well-judged acidity and compared to the Echezeaux there is more weight and corpulence to counterbalance the strict structure. It gently builds, never losing its head mind you, towards a lightly spiced finish that fans out beautifully. This is a very accomplished rather than spectacular Grands Echezeaux. 923 cases produced. Drink 2017-2030 (NM)” Review Date: 02/2014
94 Points - Burghound
“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. (AM)” Review Date: 01/2014
There is Romanée-Conti, and then there is everything else. Universally hailed as the absolute greatest Domaine on planet Earth, the historic estate has long created and continues to produce the finest Pinot Noir, as well as the most sought-after bottles for any and all collectors. Both age-worthy and able to be consumed within the first 5 years of release (or don't touch them for fifteen, warns Aubert de Villaine), DRC, its affectionate moniker, is THE centerpiece of any collection.
94 Points - Vinous
“Dark cherry, plum, cloves and menthol are some of the many notes that wrap around the palate in the 2011 Grands-Échézeaux. This is an especially dark, somber Grands-Échézeaux. Today the tannins are quite firm and the wine is holding back much of its potential, but it possesses superb depth that will only fully emerge after a number of years in the cellar. Sweet tobacco, savory herbs and leather wrap around a finish infused with gravitas. (AG)” Review Date: 03/2014
93 Points - Wine Advocate
“The Grands Echezeaux 2011 was picked on 9 and 10 September at 25.33hl/ha. There is certainly more intensity and fruitiness on the nose compared to the Echezeaux. The aromatics here feel fuller, rounder and more harmonious that its sibling. As the wine remains in the glass there are subtle cassis notes that begin to emerge accompanied by over-ripe oranges. The palate is well balanced and fresh on the entry, with slightly powdery tannins. It is very harmonious with well-judged acidity and compared to the Echezeaux there is more weight and corpulence to counterbalance the strict structure. It gently builds, never losing its head mind you, towards a lightly spiced finish that fans out beautifully. This is a very accomplished rather than spectacular Grands Echezeaux. 923 cases produced. Drink 2017-2030 (NM)” Review Date: 02/2014
94 Points - Burghound
“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. (AM)” Review Date: 01/2014
There is Romanée-Conti, and then there is everything else. Universally hailed as the absolute greatest Domaine on planet Earth, the historic estate has long created and continues to produce the finest Pinot Noir, as well as the most sought-after bottles for any and all collectors. Both age-worthy and able to be consumed within the first 5 years of release (or don't touch them for fifteen, warns Aubert de Villaine), DRC, its affectionate moniker, is THE centerpiece of any collection.
94 Points - Vinous
“Dark cherry, plum, cloves and menthol are some of the many notes that wrap around the palate in the 2011 Grands-Échézeaux. This is an especially dark, somber Grands-Échézeaux. Today the tannins are quite firm and the wine is holding back much of its potential, but it possesses superb depth that will only fully emerge after a number of years in the cellar. Sweet tobacco, savory herbs and leather wrap around a finish infused with gravitas. (AG)” Review Date: 03/2014
93 Points - Wine Advocate
“The Grands Echezeaux 2011 was picked on 9 and 10 September at 25.33hl/ha. There is certainly more intensity and fruitiness on the nose compared to the Echezeaux. The aromatics here feel fuller, rounder and more harmonious that its sibling. As the wine remains in the glass there are subtle cassis notes that begin to emerge accompanied by over-ripe oranges. The palate is well balanced and fresh on the entry, with slightly powdery tannins. It is very harmonious with well-judged acidity and compared to the Echezeaux there is more weight and corpulence to counterbalance the strict structure. It gently builds, never losing its head mind you, towards a lightly spiced finish that fans out beautifully. This is a very accomplished rather than spectacular Grands Echezeaux. 923 cases produced. Drink 2017-2030 (NM)” Review Date: 02/2014
94 Points - Burghound
“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. (AM)” Review Date: 01/2014