The 1999 Échézeaux stands out for its striking inner perfume and sweetness. Dark cherries, plums, mocha, violets and menthol all flesh out in a rich, inviting Burgundy that is just now beginning to approach an early plateau of maturity that will last another 20+ years. With time in the glass, the 1999 turns deep and rich. In this case, the vintage is a very strong marker, perhaps even more so than site. Far from an easygoing wine, the 1999 Échézeaux is a wine of notable intensity and pure power.

Explosive fruit of blackberries, vanilla and oriental spice with extremely ripe, relatively supple black fruit, round, sexy flavors underpinned by good structure, ripe tannins and fine acid/fruit balance. This is still very tight but there is good vigor, indeed even force behind this wine. One of the better DRC Echézeaux in a long time, in fact as good as the terrific '88 though stylistically different.

The medium ruby-colored 1999 Echezeaux has a demure, dark fruit-scented nose. It bursts on the palate with lush layers of intensely sweet cherries, candied black raspberries, and spices. This lovely wine is forward, feminine, and satin-textured. It is medium to full-bodied, highly expressive, and possesses prodigiously ripened tannin. Drink it over the next 10-12 years. Importer: Wilson-Daniels, St. Helena, CA; tel. (707) 963-9661.

Saturated ruby-red. Tangy blackcurrant and blackberry on the nose, along with an exotic smoky note. Dense, sweet and pliant, with lovely subtle oakiness. Impressively concentrated Echezeaux that really builds in the mouth. Perfectly harmonious acidity combines with smooth tannins on the back end.

The 1999 Echézeaux Grand Cru was sadly not clean, so this note originates from another bottle proffered by a friend. It is a wine that I have tasted twice before and this was consistent. The bouquet embraces the opulence of the growing season and one can argue that it impinges upon the aromatics more than the other crus this vintage. Then again, I quite enjoy the exoticism of this Echézeaux, the way in which it “puts it all out there”. The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannin, well defined with plenty of plush red cherry and strawberry fruit. It attenuates a little towards the finish, suggesting that its longevity will not be that of its siblings, yet there is such enjoyment to be found in this wine.