Joseph Drouhin : Grands-Echezeaux Grand cru 2021

Tasting notes and advice for the Grands-Echezeaux Grand Cru 2021 from Joseph Drouhin

Tasting

Appearance

The color reveals a red hue characteristic of this great Burgundian grand cru.

Nose

The nose displays exceptional finesse, with delicate aromas of ripe cherry alongside notes of dark chocolate and cocoa. With aeration, the bouquet evolves toward more complex nuances evoking forest floor, truffle, fine leather and subtle touches of cedarwood.

Palate

The attack on the palate is both powerful and refined, carried by silky, velvety tannins. The harmonious structure reveals a remarkable balance between concentration and elegance. The very persistent finish speaks to the depth and complexity of this grand cru.

Food and wine pairings

This Grands-Echezeaux Grand Cru 2021 pairs beautifully with roasted or braised meats, especially lamb with aromatic herbs. It also works splendidly with duck à l'orange, feathered game birds such as pheasant, as well as raw-milk washed-rind cheeses such as Époisses. Dishes featuring truffles or wild forest mushrooms also make particularly successful pairings.

Serving and cellaring

The Grands-Echezeaux Grand Cru 2021 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 16 and 18°C. This wine can be enjoyed during its optimal drinking window spanning fifteen to twenty years, with cellaring potential reaching around three decades.

A Burgundy grand cru of remarkable elegance by Joseph Drouhin

The estate

Founded in 1880 by Joseph Drouhin in Beaune, the Joseph Drouhin House is one of Burgundy’s essential benchmarks. Now led by the family’s fourth generation with Frédéric Drouhin as president, the House farms around one hundred hectares of vineyards spread across the entire Burgundy region. A pioneer in sustainable viticulture, it obtained organic certification as early as 1990 and practices biodynamics on many parcels. The estate’s philosophy is rooted in respect for terroirs and a quality-driven approach that favors the authentic expression of each appellation.

The vineyard

Grands-Echezeaux occupies a privileged position on the Côte de Nuits, in the commune of Flagey-Echezeaux, just above the legendary Clos de Vougeot. This grand cru benefits from an east-southeast exposure at around two hundred and fifty meters above sea level. The terroir rests on a Bajocian limestone substratum dating back to the Jurassic, covered with clay-limestone soils that give the wine its characteristic mineral structure. Recognized as a grand cru since 1937, this historic vineyard was already cultivated by Cistercian monks in the Middle Ages.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage in Burgundy proved particularly demanding, with challenging weather conditions. Winter and spring were marked by significant rainfall and episodes of frost. Summer brought excessive rainfall, creating strong pressure from downy mildew. Despite these challenges, the harvest, which began on September 22 in Côte de Nuits, made it possible to pick grapes of remarkable quality. This vintage produced elegant, classic, Burgundian wines, defined by lovely freshness and a refined aromatic expression.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for the Grands-Echezeaux Grand Cru 2021 were harvested by hand in small ventilated crates, then meticulously sorted. Vinification took place in small open vats with a proportion of whole-cluster fruit between 20 and 50%. Fermentation and maceration lasted two to three weeks, with regular punch-downs and pump-overs. Fermentations were carried out by indigenous yeasts. Aging continued for sixteen to twenty months in French oak barrels, 30% new wood, carefully selected and air-dried for three years.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir.