1999 Echezeaux
By Domaine de la Romanee-Conti
1999 Echezeaux from Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, Burgundy, France
Approaching the hallowed grounds of Burgundy's prestigious Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, one finds the 1999 Echezeaux vintage, which stands as a paragon of aged perfection from this illustrious estate. Through my four decades as a wine critic, I recall the 1999 season in Burgundy with admiration - a year that imparted upon its wines an aristocratic complexity and finesse.
A Vintage That Withstands the Test of Time
Turn back the pages of history to the late 1990s, and you will find 1999 written with golden ink. The growing season was marked by climatic generosity; warm days and cool nights provided optimal conditions for Pinot Noir to thrive. It is in such a backdrop that the grapes for the 1999 Echezeaux were cultivated, setting the stage for a vintage that remains vivacious even after two decades.
Capture the Essence: Terroir and Technique Unidos
Wine investment connoisseurs are well aware that it is not just the provenance but also the age which gives a wine its pedigree. In this respect, the 1999 Echezeaux is an eloquent testimony to the ageing potential of Domaine de la Romanee-Conti’s craft. Unwrapping the bouquet unveils layers of black cherries, ensconced within a lavish tapestry of violet and truffle - each sniff echoing Burgundy's terroir with superb clarity.
On the palate, this Echezeaux holds true to Domaine de la Romanee-Conti’s reputation for producing ethereal Pinot Noir. Silk-like tannins meld with matured notes of forest floor and clove, revealing a structure that is at once powerful yet impeccably balanced. Its ensemble is both symphonic and precise, orchestrating an expression which resonates with depth and harmony.
In evaluating such an eminent vintage, I ponder its journey from vine to cellar to glass. The 1999 Echezeaux from Domaine de la Romanee-Conti epitomises not merely the triumphs of its own year but also illustrates why Burgundy remains an impassioned choice for fine wine investors. Its regal bearing and ageing prowess confer upon it a stature that will undoubtedly enrich any esteemed collection.
Market price (HKD)
HK$451,560.00
12x75cl
Highest score
92
POP score
3936.67
Scores and tasting notes
I was intrigued to see how the 1999 Echezeaux would be performing at 14 years of age since I have not tasted it since just after bottling. It has a very classy nose of dark cherry fruit, quite exotic for one of Aubert de Villaine’s wines, with hints of blood orange and even peach skin infusing the opulent aromatic profile. The palate is well-balanced and tightly knit, though it is clear that the RSV 1999 alongside was born with a higher level of delineation and clarity. Still, you have to admire the brio and hubris of this Echezeaux, and its youthful zeal suggests it will age over three decades without too much sweat. Delicious. Drink 2015-2030.
Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 28 August 2013