Grands Echézeaux, Domaine de la Romanée Conti 2001

All the promise this showed in my last review (see Issue 13) is alive and well and while the floral yet extremely earthy nose with elegant ripe, pure, intense, beautifully delineated crushed black fruit aromas is still quite expressive, the plum and anise laced flavors have begun to close down. The finish displays firm, dusty, almost robust structure yet the tannins themselves seem refined and overall, this is an incredibly powerful wine, indeed even a forceful one but with no lack of class. Terrific upside potential here.

Mouth-watering aromas of blackberries and spices can be found in the nose of the ruby-colored 2001 Grands-Echezeaux. A seductive, medium-bodied, satin-textured wine, it coats the taster's palate with loads of dark fruits. This is a well-endowed, pure effort with a long, flavorful finish. Drink it over the next 8-10 years.

Much more attractive than the Echezeaux with much riper warmer fruit on the distinctly autumnal nose. This lacks perfect clarity and definition and again is notable for the acidity but it has much more weight and grip and structure than the Echezeaux and quite a fan of flavours on the finish. I think this should make an agreeable bottle eventually. Driink 2010-2018. Date tasted 18th Mar 08.