2018 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Grands Echezeaux [D96][JD96][V92-94][BH92-94]

"I loved the 2018 Echezeaux Grand Cru, which has the tight, structured, backward style of the vintage front and center. Ripe red and black fruits, spring flowers, and spice, as well as hints of black herbs, all show on the nose, and it's medium to full-bodied, with great concentration and a focused, vibrant profile that's mostly potential at this stage. In comparison to the 2019, it's made in a much more classic, balanced, vibrant style and will benefit from 4-5 years of bottle age and cruise for 20-25 years or more. It's a gorgeous 2018." 

"The 2018 Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru may well be the most perplexing offering from the domaine this year.  Backward and reticent on the nose, this is very well-defined, but my word, you have to eke out the light sea cave and limestone scents with rigorous swirling of the glass.  The palate is medium-bodied and very fresh.  This is an atypically linear Grands Echezeaux that sports a bony finish marked by the whole-bunch addition.  I am fascinated to revisit this once in bottle.  At the moment it is a book that does not want to be read." 

"Moderate wood toast frames the very ripe yet again quite fresh aromas of poached plum, dark currant and a broad array of spice elements. There is fine density to the bold medium weight plus flavors that brim with dry extract that buffers the beautifully long finish that flashes a touch of sweetness. This is a big Ech, indeed the word robust applies but I very much like the evident development potential."