Unquestionably the finest Echezeaux I have encountered from this famed estate, the 2003 explodes from the glass with candied raspberries, violet, and red cherries. Stunningly marrying elegance with richness and density, this medium to full-bodied wine is ample, pure, and velvety-textured. Loads of sweet red fruits are found in its persistent, sensual character. Drink it over the next 12-14 years. Importer: Wilson-Daniels, St. Helena, CA; tel. (707) 963-9661

Deep red-ruby. Musky aromas of dark raspberry, chocolate and underbrush, along with an exotic floral quality. Large-scaled, concentrated and round, with impressive volume. Slightly roasted flavors of currant, chocolate, tobacco and underbrush. Finishes with substantial fine tannins and a sense of solidity. This should offer early appeal.

Exceptionally ripe and plumy with floral aromas that stop just short of being overtly surmature nuanced with spice, anise and warm earth that lead to rich, fat and very sweet, indeed even opulent flavors that are quite seductive but not overly complex. This is much riper than usual and finishes with a slight touch of chewy rusticity. This is clearly the wine most marked by the vintage.

A slightly dulled ruby, dark brick hue. Quite a potent nose: not complex with aromas of raspberry, a touch of cold steel, even a little cedar. Not an ebullient nose, a little broody. A firm entry on the palate, good weight, paradigmatic of the vintage in that there is solid fruit concentration but not so much elegance. Raspberry, strawberry - quite spicy on the mid-palate. A little disjointed at the moment with a touch alcohol on the finish. Very emblemic of the vintage. Good but not great. (865 cases produced) Tasted February 2006.