2019 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Echezeaux

Cue the inevitable “infanticide” comments, but when the Somm at one of your favorite restaurants calls to say you can have a bottle of DRC at less than half retail, you get a couple of buddies together and make bad financial decisions.

Furthermore, I’ve found that 2019 red Burgundies are drinking well young. A warm, dry growing season means lots of fruit and perfume — maybe not built for the super long-haul, but delicious now and for the foreseeable future.

Like all DRC vineyards, their 4.7 hectare Echezeaux plot is farmed biodynamically and harvested manually, and the grapes are left with stems during pressing. The juice is fermented with natural yeasts, undergoes long new oak aging (18-20 months for this cuvee), and is unfiltered.

Tasting notes: Deep ruby color. Complex nose started more blue-fruited than I expected, then transitioned to ripe red fruit (strawberry, raspberry), dried rose petals, and a bit of spice and earth. Bone dry, with medium+ tannins and bright acidity. 14% ABV only ever-so-slightly shows at the middle of the incredibly long finish. It drank a bit darker and finish was longer vs. other producers’ Echezeaux I’ve had recently (Mongeard-Mugneret, Perdrix, and Faiveley). I’m also convinced that DRC are wizards of new oak, as it adds complexity but the wine never tastes too “oaky.” Overall, a stunning wine in its youth, though I have no doubt it will be great in 5-10+ years.