Echézeaux, one of the Grand Crus in Burgundy, is one of the most expensive wines in the world, and its popularity is spreading to Japan as well.
Echézeaux is known for being one of the largest vineyards in the Grand Cru region, and is therefore worked by many producers. This wine allows you to enjoy the difference in flavor depending on the producer and the plot.
Here we will feature the wines of Echézeaux.
What kind of wine is Echézeaux?
"What is the difference between this and Grands Echézeaux?"
"I want to know who makes Echézeaux."
If you feel this way, please give this a try.
Echézeaux is one of Burgundy's leading Grand Crus
What is Echézeaux?
Echézeaux is one of the most popular and powerful Grand Cru vineyards in Burgundy, France . It is located in the village of Flagey-Echézeaux in the Côte de Nuits region.
Flagey-Echézeaux is a village adjacent to Vosne-Romanée and is surrounded by other famous Burgundy wine regions such as Chambolle-Musigny and Vougeot. As can be seen from the surrounding villages, it is an excellent land, and in addition to Echézeaux, there is also a Grands Echézeaux Grand Cru vineyard.
However, the village name "Flagey-Echézeaux" is not well known in the wine world because, although Echézeaux is a Grand Cru vineyard, there is no appellation (designation of origin) named Flagey-Echézeaux.
The Echézeaux vineyard itself is located within the village of Flagey-Echézeaux, but the vineyards that do not meet the requirements to be considered a Grand Cru are released as "Vosne-Romanée" village wine or "Bourgogne Rouge", etc.
Due to this complex background, Echézeaux is sometimes described as a Grand Cru of Vosne-Romanée , but in either case it is still an excellent Grand Cru, producing some of the world's best red wines.
It boasts a large area among the top-class vineyards.
The Echézeaux vineyard covers an area of approximately 37 hectares, making it the second largest Grand Cru in Burgundy.
Therefore, the vineyards are divided into many plots and there are multiple producers . Depending on the plot and the producer, the taste of the same Echézeaux wine can differ.
Looking at the whole area, the vineyards are located at an altitude of 230 to 300 meters, and the soil is complex as it spreads across the slope. The soil is a mosaic of limestone and clay, and the differences in the composition of the soil are reflected in the taste of each wine.
Although there are subtle differences, many of them have a robust, full-bodied elegance when viewed in total . They are described as having aromas of fruit and spices, a gorgeous aroma like roses and violets, and with ageing they also show nuances like mushrooms and leather.
Echézeaux is a 100% Pinot Noir red wine with a deep ruby color, and is loved by many wine lovers.
Differences from Grands Echézeaux
Echézeaux is often compared to its neighboring vineyard, Grands Echézeaux . Although both are Grand Cru vineyards in the village of Flagey-Echézeaux, their styles are very different.
Specifically, while Echézeaux wines have an elegant impression, Grands Echézeaux tend to be more powerful in style . Compared to Grands Echézeaux, Echézeaux vineyards are about four times larger in area and have a larger number of producers.
Some winemakers, such as Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC), produce both Echézeaux and Grands Echézeaux.
Because Echézeaux is so large and has so many producers, the differences between producers are more noticeable . In contrast, Grands Echézeaux are often produced by stable, well-known domaines, and there is less variation in quality and taste.
<Detailed information on Echézeaux>
- Origin: Flagey-Echézeaux village, Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, France
- Area: Approximately 37 hectares
- Soil: clay, limestone, marl, etc.
- Wine Type: Red wine
- Grape variety: Pinot Noir
A popular producer of Echézeaux! What is the style of the producer?
Echézeaux is home to over 80 winemaking domaines. Each domain has different plots and styles, so it's worth comparing them.
From here on, we will summarize the most famous and popular producers in Echézeaux.
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC)
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, also known as DRC, is one of the top producers in Burgundy. It is also the largest owner in Echézeaux, owning approximately 4.6 hectares .
DRC owns the Les Poulayères plot, which is considered the finest in Echézeaux. The grapes are cultivated under strict pruning conditions, resulting in the production of extremely high quality wines.
DRC owns several Grand Cru vineyards, but among the many red wines they produce, Echézeaux is considered to be the most approachable and drinkable. Compared to Romanée-Conti and Latache, Echézeaux has the characteristic of being delicious when young.
Domaine Mongeard-Migneret
Domaine Mongeard-Migneret is a prestigious winery that has been making wine since 1620. It is sometimes written as Mongeard-Migneret or Mongeard-Mugneret, but they are all the same domaine.
Domaine Mongeard-Migneret's signature vineyard is Echézeaux, which is the second largest vineyard after DRC, covering approximately 2.6 hectares.
The company owns two plots: "Les Trus", which produces full-bodied wines, and "Echézeaux du Douce", which produces elegant wines . Les Trus is sold in the United States, and Echézeaux du Douce is sold in Japan and France.
Domaine Gros Frères et Soeurs
Domaine Gros Frères et Soeurs is run by Bernard, the second son of the legendary winemaker Jean Gros. The Domaine is known for producing modern and distinctive wines.
Domaine Gros Frères et Soeurs' Echézeaux is made from carefully selected high-quality grapes, resulting in a wine with a powerful tannin structure and elegance .
Domaine Emmanuel Rouget
Domaine Emmanuel Rouget is the domain of Emmanuel Rouget, the nephew of Henri Jayer. He is considered the true successor and is skilled in making wines that make the most of the natural flavors of the grapes.
Domaine Emmanuel Rouget's Echézeaux is supple and impressive with its rich minerality and fruitiness.
This is an expensive wine whose popularity has skyrocketed in recent years and its price has increased several times .
Domaine Coquart Loison Fleurot
Domaine Coquart Loison Fleurot has been in business in Flagey-Echézeaux for five generations, but until recently, the wines were not exported and were mostly sold to private buyers in Europe.
Domaine Coquard Loison Fleurot's wines have only recently been available on the market since around 2010. They are such a talented winery that they quickly attracted attention after being released to the export market .
In recent years, it has sometimes been abbreviated to CLF, and although the name has not yet become widely known in Japan, it is gradually gaining popularity. This Echézeaux wine has a sense of transparency and dynamism.
Domaine Vincent Girardin
We received a reservation for two bottles of Vincent Girardin's Echézeaux 2008, which was well received at the wine party the other day. pic.twitter.com/t9q9V6GJy2
— Mizumoto Akira (@sakewinecom) May 30, 2013
Vincent Girardin is a wine maker who works both as a domaine and as a négociant (wholesale merchant). He is well known for producing high-quality, cost-effective wines .
Vincent Girardin's Echézeaux are released as négociant products. Until 2001, he purchased his grapes from DRC, so it is said that you can enjoy a taste similar to DRC's Echézeaux .
It was also featured in the popular manga "Drops of God," which made it a hot topic and quickly gained popularity. It is now one of the hardest Echézeaux to obtain, with many products selling out.
How much does Echézeaux cost? Some can be purchased for several tens of thousands of yen.
The price of Echézeaux varies greatly depending on the producer.
For example , Echézeaux from DRC, a top Domaine, is priced at 300,000 to 500,000 yen per bottle . However, compared to other DRC wines such as Romanée-Conti and Latache, which cost over 1 million yen per bottle, Echézeaux is in a more affordable price range among Grand Crus.
Some domaines sell Echézeaux for several tens of thousands of yen, and there are many bottles available for purchase for 50,000 or 100,000 yen , making them popular for special occasions or as gifts.
The price range of Echézeaux also varies greatly depending on the good vintage, so be sure to pay attention to the good vintage when choosing an Echézeaux.
Good years for Echézeaux include 1990, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2015, and 2019. The more good the year, the higher the price it tends to fetch.
How to enjoy Echézeaux! We recommend aging for 4 to 5 years.
Ageing for 4-5 years adds complexity
Pinot Noir red wines like Echézeaux are said to be suitable for long-term aging. It is recommended to age Echézeaux for about 4 to 5 years before drinking, as this will give the wine a more complex and profound flavor .
Although they are both Grand Cru wines, they tend to mature more quickly than Romanée-Conti and La Tâche. The fact that Echézeaux can be enjoyed relatively young is a major attraction.
In the case of Echézeaux from good vintages, some will develop greater depth with aging for 10 years or more. If you want to age it for a long time and add it to your collection, we recommend choosing an Echézeaux with a good vintage .
Combined with firm red meat
Echézeaux is an elegant red wine with soft tannins, mellowness, and finesse. It is recommended to pair it with meat dishes that have a firm flavor .
Pairing it with horse sashimi or Peking duck is also popular, and we also recommend meat dishes with a refreshing taste, such as duck seasoned with orange sauce.
As it ages, it develops nuances like leather and truffles, so it would be well-balanced with mushroom dishes. It's hard to go wrong if you choose a dish that goes well with it based on the maker's style and ageing period.
Let's have your leftover Echézeaux appraised for wine purchase
If you have Echézeaux wines that you've been collecting but don't plan on drinking, or you have extra stock in your store, consider using our wine purchasing appraisal service.
Wine appraisals allow you to value wines you don't drink and turn them into cash . Echézeaux is a wine that can be aged for a long time, so even bottles from a few years ago often have a high value.
However, it is important to note that there are many different types of Echézeaux wines. There are multiple producers of Echézeaux, and the price range for bottles ranges from several tens of thousands of yen to over 500,000 yen.
In order to have the value of Echézeaux properly understood, it is best to use a store specializing in buying alcohol, rather than a second-hand shop or online auction. If you use a store that specializes in alcohol to evaluate your wine, they will be able to determine the differences in the maker and vintage, and you will be able to get a high price for your Echézeaux.
Click here to purchase DRC Romanee Echézeaux
Click here to purchase DRC Romanee Grands Echézeaux
summary
Echézeaux wines are produced by many famous producers, including DRC, and are known as some of the world's best red wines. They are highly rated because they can be enjoyed at a relatively early stage among Grand Crus, and because there are many producers, allowing you to enjoy a variety of styles.
Although it is an expensive wine, there are bottles that can be purchased for several tens of thousands of yen depending on the maker. It is a wine that can be widely recommended to both beginners and wine lovers to learn about the charm of Burgundy wine .
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