Echézeaux, Philippe Pacalet 2021

Pacalet’s Echézeaux is not as forward as some, but there is an earthy, complex set of aromas here with ripe black plums and notes of pepper, smoke, and leather. It takes a moment to open, but the wine is substantial, with rewarding density and length. The grapes come from a half-hectare of old vines in the lieu-dit Clos St-Denis, fermented largely as whole clusters and ageing now in cask, with a modest proportion of new barrels. 2030-2060

As one might reasonably guess, this is the spiciest wines in the range with a ripe yet cool and layered nose of plum, dark cherry and equally floral-suffused aromas. There is fine richness to the generously proportioned medium weight plus flavors that manage to be at once dense and powerful yet refined on the moderately austere, robust and lengthy finish. This is a robust Echézeaux that is very much built-to-age. 2033+