2016 ECHEZEAUX GRAND CRU BENJAMIN LEROUX - 3x75cl

Tasting Notes

• 

  Goedhuis, November 2017

  Benjamin’s parcel is at the top of the cru, on the whiter soils. This area was particularly badly hit by the frost, and so he supplemented this parcel with some fruit bought from the lower section in 2016. It has wonderful purity and an aromatic appeal, with sweet juicy berries and savoury spice.

• 

  Neal Martin, December 2017,
  Score: 89-91

  The 2016 Echézeaux Grand Cru is a mix of several vineyards to make two barrels that usually come from Vignes Blanches, which was frosted this year. It was also destemmed. It has a well-defined bouquet with red cherry and bergamot aromas that do not quite convey grand cru status. It has a well-balanced bouquet, good extraction, a little sweeter in style with a sweet if slightly predictable finish. Not bad, although it needs to step up to the plate by the time of bottling. Drink 2020-2032

• 

  Burghound, April 2018,
  Score: 89-92

  A relatively somber but attractively spicy nose reflects notes of red and dark berries, lavender, Asian-style tea and a floral hint. The lush and very rounded medium-bodied flavors possess good mid-palate fat before terminating in a slightly edgy and tangy finish that is just enough to cut the length somewhat short today. My predicted range assumes that the tartness will age out once this is bottled. Drink 2023+

• 

  Stephen Tanzer, January 2018,
  Score: 89-92

  Dark, bright red. Distinctly dark, brooding aromas of blackberry, bitter chocolate and licorice accented by a peppery quality. A bit youthfully brutal on the palate, offering savory flavors of blueberry, crushed stone, pepper and spices. This firmly structured, uncompromising Echézeaux finishes with dry, granular tannins and is very difficult to taste today. These vineyards were hit hard by the frost in 2016 and the malolactic fermentation was late.

• 

  Jancis Robinson, November 2017,
  Score: 17.5

  Deep crimson. A certain vegy quality on the nose. Urgent pace on this wine. Very mouth-filling and a sweet-biscuit quality. Fresh and dynamic. Edgy and satisfying, Quite open. Long. Drink 2022-2035

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Producer

Benjamin Leroux

Following fifteen years as winemaker at Comte Armand, Benjamin Leroux is now amongst an elite band of specialist micro-négociants setting up in the Côte D’Or. Based in Beaune, Benjamin uses his network of contacts to source only the very best fruit and, where he has contracts, likes to advise on vineyard practices to make sure that the raw material is of the highest quality. He makes wines from a broad and diverse selection of appellations, but all show a true connection to their origins.