Grands Echezeaux 2022 Robert Sirugue

Tasting Notes

The first impression is dark cherry, almost glossy, followed by notes of rose petals and forest floor. The flavor is denser than one would expect from a wine that favors elegance over muscle. Fine-grained tannins envelop black fruit, with the savory, almost bloody minerality often found in Grands Echézeaux. The finish reveals spice and damp earth.

Grape Varieties

Pinot Noir, of course.

Cellaring Potential

Drink between 2030 and 2042; the 2022 has a tannin backbone and acidity that already starts the balance the sweetness, so the wine is already accessible. It should be stored for at least five years to reach more maturity in a horizontal position at 12-14°C. If the wine is opened at a young age, decant the wine about an hour before drinking.

The Producer

Vosne-Romanée wine has been passed down for four generations, but most wine lovers have never heard of it, because most of the production goes directly to top restaurants, bypassing retail. The Sirugue family has historical ties to the Jayer and Grivot dynasties. Today, Marie-France runs the estate with her brother Jean-Louis and son Arnaud.

Terroir & Climate

Grands Echézeaux is located on a small plateau above the Clos de Vougeot in the commune of Flagey-Echézeaux. The limestone bedrock is overlain by deep clay and this clay is important because it retains moisture throughout the dry summer (such as in 2022) and gives the wine a denser and more lush structure.

Winemaking

All the work is done by hand and the grapes are completely de-stemmed. No whole bunches are used. Cold maceration is then carried out in stainless steel before fermentation to gently extract color and aromas before alcoholic fermentation begins. Each plot is fermented separately, so only the best Grands Echézeaux fruit is included in the final blend. The wine is aged in French oak for 16-18 months, with a moderate amount of new oak. The oak is enough to frame the wine, but not enough to overshadow the vineyard.

Food Pairing

The 2022's density calls for substantial dishes. Try it:

• Roast duck with cherry sauce, where the red fruitiness of the wine meets the sauce.
• Coq au vin, a classic Burgundy dish.
• Game and Pinot Noir are a near-perfect pairing.
• Aged Époisses if you want to emphasize the spiciness.

Serve at 16-17°C. Decant at a young age. Avoid too strong spices when pairing with these unusual wines.