Pierre Girardin : Echezeaux Grand cru 2021

Characteristics and tasting advice for the Echezeaux Grand Cru 2021 from Pierre Girardin

Tasting

Color

The wine displays a deep ruby-red hue, enhanced by magenta and violet highlights typical of a young Pinot Noir from an exceptional terroir.

Nose

The aromatic bouquet is complex and distinctive. On opening, elegant vegetal notes of freshly cut grass emerge, a hallmark of the pure, pared-back style sought by the winemaker. With aeration, the nose evolves toward aromas of small red berries (strawberry, cherry), complemented by delicate floral touches of peony and rose, as well as a spicy, licorice-like dimension that adds depth.

Palate

The attack is direct and precise. The palate reveals an elegant structure carried by silky, refined tannins, the result of vinification without extraction. Aromatic concentration is expressed with finesse, supported by vibrant acidity that brings balance and freshness. The finish lingers with persistence, revealing the mineral character typical of the Les Treux terroir, with a mouthwatering texture that underscores this wine’s outstanding aging potential.

Food and wine pairings

This grand cru is an ideal match for roasted lamb, a rib steak, or feathered game preparations such as pigeon. Noble red meats and dishes featuring wild mushrooms also make excellent pairings. For a more contemporary experience, opt for a porcini risotto or soft, aged cheeses such as Époisses.

Serving and cellaring

The Echezeaux Grand Cru 2021 can be enjoyed now, but it will gain in complexity over time. Its optimal drinking window extends to around 2041, with a peak expected between 2031 and 2036. Decanting for one hour will allow the wine to fully open up. Ideally serve between 15 and 17°C. Unfiltered and unfined, this wine may develop a natural deposit over time.

An Echezeaux Grand Cru from Burgundy combining finesse and minerality

The estate

Founded in 2016, Domaine Pierre Girardin embodies the new generation of Burgundy winemakers. At just 19 years old, Pierre-Vincent Girardin made his first vintage in 2017, drawing on 4.5 hectares of prestigious vines passed down by his father Vincent. Based in Meursault, this thirteenth representative of a centuries-old winegrowing lineage quickly gained international recognition thanks to his minimalist approach and early technical mastery. His exceptional portfolio includes parcels in some of Burgundy’s greatest terroirs, from Montrachet to Chambertin. Committed to organic viticulture, Pierre-Vincent Girardin works according to the lunar calendar and favors low-intervention vinifications to reveal the authenticity of each terroir.

The vineyard

The Echezeaux Grand Cru spans 36.27 hectares in the commune of Flagey-Échezeaux, in the Côte de Nuits, between Vosne-Romanée and the Clos de Vougeot. Pierre Girardin’s parcel lies in the Climat Les Treux, a strategic position equidistant from Romanée-Conti and the Château du Clos de Vougeot. Planted at around 250 meters above sea level on north-east-facing slopes, the vines benefit from a clay-limestone terroir rich in gravel, resting on Jurassic limestone formations. This complex geology, combined with deep soils measuring 70 to 80 centimeters, encourages deep rooting and gives the wine its distinctive mineral signature. Vineyard management follows organic farming principles, with hand harvesting and rigorous grape selection.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage in Burgundy was marked by contrasting weather conditions. Despite the difficulties linked to spring frost that affected certain areas, the Côte de Nuits enjoyed an overall favorable season. Summer enabled balanced ripening of the grapes, preserving lively acidity while developing remarkable aromatic concentration. Harvest took place in good conditions, making it possible to pick healthy, perfectly ripe fruit. This vintage produced wines of great finesse, combining structure and elegance, with excellent aging potential.

Vinification and aging

The vinification of the Echezeaux Grand Cru 2021 reflects Pierre Girardin’s minimalist philosophy. Fermentations take place at low temperature, with no punch-downs or pump-overs, in order to preserve aromatic delicacy and extract only silky tannins. This low-intervention approach allows the terroir to express itself fully. Aging lasts 16 months in 228-liter French oak barrels, with around 50% new wood, a carefully measured proportion to support the structure without overpowering the fruit. The wine remains on fine lees without systematic stirring, thereby developing complexity and texture. No filtration or fining is carried out prior to bottling, which is done according to the lunar calendar.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir