| Classification | Grand Cru |
| Type | Red |
| Producer | Domaine de la Romanee Conti |
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Country | France |
| Main region | Burgundy |
| Region | Côte de Nuits |
| Appellation | Grands-Echezeaux |
| Grape | Pinot Noir |
| Volume | 0,75 |
| Condition | Perfect |
| Label | Perfect, Bottle number digitally removed |
| Drinkable | 2030-2055 |
| Stock | 0 |
The 2022 Grands Échézeaux Grand Cru was, by a small margin, the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti's highest yielding red grand cru, at 43 hectoliters per hectare, a welcome change after tiny crops in recent vintages such as 2021 and 2016. Offering up lifted aromas of ripe red berries, orange zest and spices and framed by toasty new oak, it's full-bodied, ample and layered, with a firmer, more tightly wound profile than the more flamboyant Échézeaux, concluding with a youthfully chewy finish.
Average vine age 30 years, yield 43 hl/ha. Harvested 2–4 September. Bottled 6 February 2024. Total production 1,566 x 12.
Mid cherry red. So different from the Échezeaux; the whole-bunch component is more evident but so is an aroma of tiny, tart wild berries, bringing a vibrancy that is less obvious in the Échezeaux. Smells beautifully wild. Then darker and more savoury on the palate. A little more abrupt on the finish than the other wines though in a global burgundy context it is still persistent. Dense, dry and sober overall – the aroma and the palate less similar than in their other 2022s. (JH)
Whereas the Echézeaux is refined, the 2022 Grands Echézeaux is quite powerful. A firm spine of tannin gives the 2022 the explosive vertical feel of a skyscraper. Dark red fruit, licorice, incense and dried herbs begin to appear with time in the glass. The 2022 is a Burgundy for readers who can be patient. Some of the DRC 2022s will drink well on release, but the Grands-Echézeaux is not among them. It needs time.
No deeper in colour than the Echezeaux, though the nose suggests a greater heart to the Grands Echezeaux compared to its sibling. Haunting, while retaining the hallmark white pepper and spice. Very much more backward, and some dark cherry in the mix whereas the wines to date have been all red fruit. No greater in finesse, just a little more volume – and persistence.
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