“The dazzling Domaine des Perdrix Echézeaux is one of the finest examples I have tasted from that Grand Cru vineyard.” – Wine Advocate

An Echézeaux! On Wine Spies? UNDER $200???

A quick search for Echézeaux at that price reveals ZERO results. Like Bigfoot or the Yeti, it simply does not exist.

For the 2019 vintage, the rock bottom is the mid-$200s for a negociant bottling. And the ceiling stretches to nosebleed heights at $10,000 a bottle for Roumier. Not joking, you can grab one here if that’s your cup of tea.

Ahem, where were we?

Echézeaux!!! Just to emphasize how legendary it is amongst the most storied of Grand Crus, it’s one of DRCs seven regularly bottled darlings, sitting alongside with Romanée-Conti, La Tâche, RSV, Richebourg, Corton, and Grands Echézeaux.

Wait up! Let’s geek out for a minute because, well… we’re dwelling in Burgundy’s upper echelons today. So this ain’t “just” another Echézeaux. Burgundy aficionado Steen Öhman explains “There are 11 different climates or plots on Echézeaux, some more known than others. It’s around 37 hectares in total, but this has not always been the case. Echézeaux du Dessus is the heart of Echézeaux, expanded in 1937 from 3.5 hectares to its present size, and it’s the original part of the vineyard with deep and chalky soil. Naturally, within such a large vineyard, the terroir varies considerably; thus, the plot of origin may have considerable influence on the style and quality of the wine.”

Along with legends such as Jayer, Tremblay, Millot, Mongeard-Mugneret, and Alex Gambal, historically, Domaine des Perdrix is one of the few names today with access to Echézeaux du Dessus, along with the highly sought-after Les Quartiers de Nuits plots abutting Clos de Vougeot, shared with Gerard Mugneret and Mugneret-Gibourg.

Did we mention the well-deserved 97 point review below?! And if that’s not reassuring enough, Jancis Robinson MW rated a cask sample 17+/20 over 5 years ago, describing it as “showing iron and earthy notes with five spice. Very earthy palate that is mouth-filling and has firm and ripe tannins. Some generous fruit and great concentration as well as intensity. Should blossom beautifully in bottle.”

And blossom IT DID! What should you expect in the glass? Utter profoundness, yes, with some decanting strongly advised, to allow it to bloom further. Echézeaux is famous for its red fruits laced with earthiness and early approachability. This example delivers those in spades.

Oh, and there once were only 35 cases imported of this cellar centerpiece, you’re welcome.

97 Points – Wine Enthusiast “Smoke and sandalwood offset penetrating cassis and violet in this ripe, luscious red. While boldly concentrated in red-cherry and raspberry flavors, it’s nuanced by layers of truffles, spice, and earth. Soft, supple tannins are welcoming already, but the wine will approach peak around 2028 and hold well through the next decade.”