2012 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti 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
“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. (AG)” Review Date: 03/2016
93 Points - Burghound
“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. (AM)” Review Date: 01/2015
92 Points - Wine Advocate
“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. (NM)” Review Date: 02/2015
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
“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. (AG)” Review Date: 03/2016
93 Points - Burghound
“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. (AM)” Review Date: 01/2015
92 Points - Wine Advocate
“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. (NM)” Review Date: 02/2015
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
“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. (AG)” Review Date: 03/2016
93 Points - Burghound
“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. (AM)” Review Date: 01/2015
92 Points - Wine Advocate
“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. (NM)” Review Date: 02/2015