2011 ECHÉZEAUX, Louis Jadot. Burgundy (Magnum)

From the website of UK agent Hatch Mansfield:
“The Echézeaux vines extend to heights of 360m above sea level on slopes of up to 15%. The soils vary within the vineyard, but are relatively deep even in the top sections, being composed mainly of fine silt stone, clay and pebbles, over the hard limestone base on which most of Vosne-Romanée rests. It is this depth and richness of soil that provides for the quality of the wines.”

Pinot Noir matured for 18 months in oak barrels, around a third of which were new.

Jadot is a large and well-known producer, but at the top end their wines offer quality and (relative) value compared to the cult (small) producers whose prices have gone completely crazy.

“From Les Rouges du Bas that is worked by horse because it is so steep. There is much less wood in evidence on the fresh, spicy, earthy and dense nose of both red and black currant scents. The mouth feel is notably finer than that of the Clos de Vougeot as the tannins are more fine-grained plus there is good verve to the medium weight plus flavors that culminate in a mouth coating, firm, moderately austere and strikingly long finish.” Allen Meadows, ‘Burghound’.