Benjamin Leroux Echezeaux Rouge 2015

Tasting Notes

Cork. Although this grand cru has been in his portfolio for a couple of years now, thanks to the paucity of yields (from just 0.15 hectares of land) this is our first allocation of Leroux's Echézeaux. Not a bad vintage to start with then. The parcel in question lies in Vignes Blanches (often referenced as Les Criots) on the Vosne border, so named for the high incidence of limestone in the soil. In Inside Burgundy, Jasper Morris comments, 'The topsoil is certainly very poor and full of little stones. Henri Jayer was particularly enthusiastic about this plot of vines here. " From vines planted in 1965, this was raised in 50% new oak, with 30% whole bunches in the ferment. Layered with fleshy and seductive, freshly picked cherry and raspberry fruit, this is both mouth coating and yet chiselled. As Neal Martin notes, it's a supremely classy wine well and truly worthy of its grand cru status.

'Trenchant aromas of reduction and wood are borderline disagreeable today yet neither can be found on the highly seductive, concentrated and relatively powerful flavors that are shaped by a firm but not hard tannic spine on the sappy and reasonably refined finish. This is sufficiently forward that it could be enjoyed after only 5 to 7 years of bottle age yet should reward up to 15. " 92-94 points, Allen Meadows, Burghound issue 66

'The 2015 Echézeaux Grand Cru, which comes from lieu-dit of Vignes Blanches, has a generous, raspberry coulis, redcurrant and red plum-scented bouquet. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannin, bright redcurrant and strawberry fruit with a pinch of spice towards the controlled, understated finish. Very fine and very classy, give this 3-4 years in bottle before it begins to stretch its wings. " 93-95 points, Neal Martin, Wine Advocate #228