Domaine de la Romanée-Conti's Échezeaux 2008 is a red Grand Cru produced in Flagey-Échezeaux, a village located between Vougeot and Vosne-Romanée within Côte de Nuits. The harvest was small. That year, the domaine's Échezeaux vineyard yielded only 9,874 bottles, which clearly illustrates just how much fruit was lost compared to the 14,796 bottles in 2007 and the 18,589 bottles in 2009.
2008 was a year that presented many challenges. Following a cold winter, the growth cycle of the vines began much later than the previous year, especially in February and March, while the April area experienced colder and wetter weather than in 2007. Flowering began on the 1st of June and lasted for nearly three weeks; as a result, the veraison (the period when the grapes change color) also spanned a similar timeframe, making uniform ripening even more difficult. Rain continued throughout the summer, leading to outbreaks of mildew, oidium, and, from August, botrytis. Pest control measures were carried out in accordance with the vineyard's organic practices. Heavy rains fell again during the second week of September.
However, the cool spring weather had one beneficial outcome: widespread millerandage, a phenomenon in which the clusters become sparse and the berries smaller, resulting in a higher ratio of skin to juice. This is precisely what characterizes the 2008 vintage.
Robert Parker (94)
The 2008 Echezeaux is a noticeable step up in quality from the Vosne-Romanee. This is a decidedly rich, powerful Echezeaux endowed with considerable muscle. The aromas and flavors build beautifully towards a dazzling, harmonious finish. The 2008 is a big Echezeaux that could use further time in the cellar. There is plenty of underlying structure to support a long life in the cellar. The 2008 is seriously impressive. If any wine can be said to represent ‘value’ among the Domaine’s 2008s, the Echezeaux is it.
Jancis Robinson (18)
Pale pinkish ruby. Delicate mix of lightly exotic spice, red cherry fruit and a hint of stemmy/peppery freshness, possibly liquorice. Stemmy, sandalwood note increases as it opens in the glass and then the fruit returns, like a continuing cycle of aromas. The intensity on the palate comes as quite a shock after the delicacy of the nose. Much more savoury and spiced and dense than I expected though still beautifully fresh. Immense length. Tannins are dense too, totally smooth (ie no grain), more like steel than wood, and sleek but leaving a spicy grip on the finish. (JH)
Jasper Morris (95)
Very pale colour, with a light and elegant nose, red fruit, plenty of spice. Attractive wine on the palate with some elegance to finish, but certainly a lighter style this year, albeit with very good length.
