The 2013 Grands Echézeaux Grand Cru is probably more expressive than the Echézeaux on the nose with heightened delineation. Here there is wonderful precision and penetration. A second barrel showed a more floral character, the fruit slightly redder than the first. The palate is medium-bodied with tensile tannins. This is just full of energy percolating through the dark berry, bergamot and bilberry fruit, yet there is a firm grip on the masculine finish, the second barrel a touch suppler and pastille-like. This is an aristocractic Grands Echézeaux in the making.

Healthy dark red. An initial note of reduction dissipated to reveal sexy scents of raspberry, blueberry, smoky minerals and Oriental spices. Densely packed and vibrant, with concentrated berry fruit accented by pepper and spices from the stems. Firm tannins will support slow development in bottle. There's way more inner-mouth tension and éclat here than I found in the Echézeaux. An outstanding vintage for this bottling.

The 2013 Grands-Échézeaux comes across as quite wild in its powerful, unrestrained personality. In recent vintages, the GE has become more polished, but the 2013 is a real brute today. Dark, savory almost Syrah-like notes take shape in the glass. Game, smoke, herbs and wild flowers wrap around the imposing, bracing finish. I expect the 2013 will require considerable bottle age to fully come together.