Tasting Notes
Vinous 91+
(est. 500-$750) Good medium red. Much less forthcoming on the nose than the Echezeaux, hinting at black cherry, flowers and mint; the only one of these 2004s to show a slight vegetal peppery quality. Then sweet, primary and young on the palate, with very good definition and grip to the black fruit and pepper flavors. Finishes with firm, complex tannins. This rather austere but elegant wine needs a good six to eight years of cellaring. The team removed about 30% to 40% of the stems in 2004.
Robert Parker 93
Grapes harvested by 28th September rather than 4th October for the above. A similar, pale hue, but much more expression on the nose with ripe wild strawberry, hedgerow, dried orange peel and some autumn leaves, with a hint of sandalwood evolving over time. The palate is medium-bodied with good depth, sharp acidity and slightly grainy tannins. Not a flamboyant wine but more introverted and subdued on the conservative finish. A second sample showed more ripeness on the nose (with a scent of rose petals) and a little spicier on the finish, more a oecompletea than the earlier bottle. 91/100 and second bottle 93/100. (1,000 cases produced) Tasted February 2007.
JancisRobinson.com 18
Rather floral, delicate aromas – very fresh and lively and much more refined than the straight Echezeaux. Racy, elegant but suave too. Set fair for a thinner (than Echezeaux, more ballerina-like future if the straight Echezeaux is more of a morris dancer. Rather closer to the 2004 norm than the Echezeaux in its delicacy but still much richer than most 2004s, even if its prominent acidity makes it arguably DRC’s most typical wine of the vintage. Beginning to close up and be a little stern on the end of the palate but impressively long.
Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030
