Joseph Drouhin : Grands-Echezeaux Grand cru 2020

Tasting characteristics and advice for Joseph Drouhin Grands-Échezeaux Grand Cru 2020

Tasting

Color

The color reveals a deep, intense ruby red.

Nose

The nose displays great aromatic finesse, evoking cherry and dark chocolate or cocoa bean, a delicate and highly sought-after hallmark of this wine. With aeration, the bouquet evolves toward refined nuances of forest floor, truffle, fine leather, and sometimes subtle notes of cigar or cedar wood. Aromas of black cherry, blackberry, sandalwood, spice, and tomato leaf complete this complex palette.

Palate

On the palate, this wine charms with its silky, velvety texture, almost unctuous. The tannins are refined and polished, accompanied by earthy and iron-like touches that add depth. The expansive, lingering finish confirms the elegance and remarkable concentration of this vintage.

Food and wine pairings

This Grands-Échezeaux Grand Cru 2020 pairs perfectly with red meats, feathered game, mushroom-roasted poultry, as well as aged cheeses. Its elegant structure and forest-floor notes harmonize beautifully with refined autumnal dishes, especially truffle- or morel-based preparations.

Serving and cellaring

Grands-Échezeaux Grand Cru 2020 is ideally enjoyed at a temperature between 16 and 18°C. This wine can be appreciated now but will continue to evolve beautifully until around 2042, with cellaring potential of up to 40 years, i.e., until around 2060. The optimal drinking window is between 15 and 25 years after the vintage.

The concentration and elegance of a Burgundy Grand Cru

The estate

Founded in 1880 by Joseph Drouhin in Beaune, the Joseph Drouhin House has remained an independent, family-owned estate for four generations. Today run by Frédéric Drouhin and his three siblings, the House oversees around 103 hectares of vineyards spread across 60 different appellations, from Chablis to the Mâconnais. A pioneer of organic and biodynamic viticulture from the late 1980s, with full certification obtained in 1990, Joseph Drouhin embodies a philosophy of elegance and harmony guided by respect for the terroir and the authentic expression of each Burgundian climat.

The vineyard

Grands-Échezeaux is a Grand Cru located in the commune of Flagey-Échezeaux, in the Côte de Nuits. This vineyard of just 9.06 hectares sits just above the famous Clos de Vougeot, from which it is separated only by a stone wall. Joseph Drouhin’s vines, averaging 22 years of age, grow on clay-limestone soils derived from Bajocian limestone, particularly well suited to expressing Pinot Noir. Facing east at around 250 meters above sea level, these parcels benefit from a homogeneous terroir that gives the wine its signature finesse. The vineyard is farmed according to organic and biodynamic principles.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage stands out as an exceptional year in Burgundy. After a mild winter, the growing season was marked by steady ripening and moderate water stress, which concentrated the grapes while preserving remarkable acidity. Stable weather conditions made it possible to produce red wines of outstanding concentration, with a beautiful, intense ruby color. The nuances of the terroirs are already perceptible in this vintage, described by the estate as a great long-aging year.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for Grands-Échezeaux Grand Cru 2020 are harvested by hand into small ventilated crates, then carefully sorted in the vineyard and at the winery. Vinification takes place in small open vats, with a proportion of whole clusters between 20% and 50%, determined according to the vintage’s characteristics. Fermentation is carried out with indigenous yeasts for 2 to 3 weeks, followed by pressing in a vertical press. Aging takes place over 16 to 20 months in French oak barrels from state forests, three years old, including 30% new barrels and 70% barrels that have held one wine or more. Throughout the process, decisions are made after tasting and technical analysis to favor the authentic expression of the terroir and the vintage.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir.