All the promise this showed in my last review (see Issue 13) is alive and well and while the floral yet extremely earthy nose with elegant ripe, pure, intense, beautifully delineated crushed black fruit aromas is still quite expressive, the plum and anise laced flavors have begun to close down. The finish displays firm, dusty, almost robust structure yet the tannins themselves seem refined and overall, this is an incredibly powerful wine, indeed even a forceful one but with no lack of class. Terrific upside potential here.

A similar colour to Echezeaux. The nose is more reticent, slightly stalky with a note of damp earth. The palate is very focused with good depth and acidity. Quite rounded and smooth with caressing wild strawberry fruits on the finish, with a note of iron. Very good length. 5 - 10 years. (873 cases produced) Tasted February 2004.

Bright, deep red. Spicy, sappy aromas of cassis, cherry and minerals. Sweet, penetrating berry flavors are enlivened by firm acids. A solidly built 2001, finishing subtle and long, with some minty austerity.

Mouth-watering aromas of blackberries and spices can be found in the nose of the ruby-colored 2001 Grands-Echezeaux. A seductive, medium-bodied, satin-textured wine, it coats the taster’s palate with loads of dark fruits. This is a well-endowed, pure effort with a long, flavorful finish. Drink it over the next 8-10 years. Concerning the 2001s, de Villaine, the Domaine de la Romanee-Conti’s co-director, stated that “it was not an easy year, it was a real roller coaster for vignerons. The estate’s vineyards, like everyone in Burgundy, had rot infestations so we did two harvests, one for the best, healthiest bunches and then another. Of course, we meticulously sorted all the fruit as we always do.” Those readers who are always looking for news concerning the next vintage will be interested to hear the following. Unlike almost all his colleagues who said that 2002 was going to be a spectacular vintage, de Villaine informed me that it would “another irregular year.” Importer: Wilson-Daniels, St. Helena, CA; tel. (707) 963-9661