JEAN GRIVOT Echezeaux Grand Cru

WA: (92-94)

The 2016 Echézeaux Grand Cru was affected by the frost: 40% to 45% of the vines were lost. Etienne said that the lieu-dit of Les Créots is an incredible vineyard and managed to overcome what could have been much worse damage. It has a beautiful, sensual, very pure bouquet with Morello, crushed strawberry and hints of vanilla pod. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin and gorgeous black cherry and tart redcurrant fruit. It does not possess the length or density of the 2015, although I feel it shrugged off the frost damage better than Grivot's Clos Vougeot.

VM: 92

The 2016 Echézeaux Grand Cru has a competent if not overall exciting bouquet, just a little staid compared to its peers. The palate is medium-bodied with sweet ripe tannins, black cherries and blueberry fruit with a touch of marmalade and blood orange towards the brisk and lively finish. With aeration it seems to express more some stem addition. Tasted blind at the 2016 Burgfest tasting.

VM: 94

The 2018 Echézeaux Grand Cru has an attractive nose of brambly red fruit, orange rind, sous-bois and a touch of wilted rose petal. The palate is medium-bodied with furry tannins, plenty of dusky red berry fruit with white pepper and sage. Fine weight, perhaps a little rustic towards the finish but it gains weight and coheres with aeration. Give this another couple of years in bottle. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2018 red tasting.

VM: (92-94)

The 2020 Echézeaux Grand Cru offers mulberry, sous-bois and very subtle star anis aromas on the nose. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grain tannins, quite taut and fresh, linear at the moment with touches of blood orange and Clementine towards the finish. Give this several years in bottle.