# Echézeaux Grand Cru (2018)

- **Producer:** Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Pinot Noir
- **Region:** Burgundy, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Average price:** €2650
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** violet, plum, red cherry, black cherry, peony, vanilla, sandalwood, cedar, cloves, cocoa powder, forest floor, liquorice, tobacco

## About this wine

The 2018 Echézeaux Grand Cru is a distinguished red wine from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, produced exclusively from 100% Pinot Noir grapes within the Echézeaux Grand Cru appellation in Burgundy, France. This appellation is recognized for its exceptional quality and origin in the Côte de Nuits. The Echézeaux vineyard is one of the largest Grand Cru sites in Burgundy, with vines averaging 32 years of age. Domaine de la Romanée-Conti is a legendary producer known for its high standards and commitment to biodynamic viticulture, focusing on soil health and a harmonious relationship with nature. The 2018 vintage experienced a warm growing season that resulted in concentrated fruit while maintaining balance, aided by moisture-retentive soils. Echézeaux is often described as a more accessible wine from DRC, opening up earlier than some of their other offerings, while still possessing significant aging potential.

## Interesting facts

- DRC practices biodynamic viticulture, emphasizing soil health and natural harmony.
- Echézeaux is one of Burgundy's largest Grand Cru vineyards.
- The average vine age in Echézeaux is 32 years.
- This wine is considered one of DRC's more accessible bottlings, opening up earlier.

## Food pairing

The wine's full body and ripe fruit notes are complemented by rich proteins like game and duck. The wine's inherent structure and fine tannins can cut through the richness of fatty dishes, while its complex aromatics can echo or contrast with savory and earthy elements in the food.

## Wine making process

The winemaking process at Domaine de la Romanée-Conti for Echézeaux Grand Cru begins with meticulous hand-harvesting to select optimal grapes. The fruit is gently destemmed and crushed before undergoing fermentation, often with indigenous yeasts, allowing for natural complexity. Extended maceration is employed to maximize the extraction of desirable compounds from the grape skins, contributing to the wine's structure and concentration. Following fermentation, the wine is aged for approximately 18-20 months in French oak barrels, with a significant portion being new. This aging process allows for the integration of flavors and tannins, preparing the wine for its long aging potential. The estate is committed to biodynamic viticulture, prioritizing soil health and minimal intervention throughout the entire process.