Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Grands Échézeaux Grand Cru 2019

Bertrand de Villaine, co-manager of the domaine, has often evoked the savoury nature of the Grands Echézeaux produced from their 3.53-hectare plot down-slope from their Echézeaux. To my palate it showed more of an influence from the whole clusters – a freshness and a slightly rustic hint of menthol and earth, but he assures me that the use of whole bunches is consistent across the board. Perhaps the wine is closing down slightly – it shows less of the lush dark fruit than it did out of barrel, although the length and complexity are a testament to the quality of the wine. Drinking window: 2025-2065. Part of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti 2019: in-bottle tasting comparison. Score – 97. (Charles Curtis, MW, decanter.com, March 25, 2022)