2020 Echezeaux Grand Cru Domaine Henri Felettig

Aromas of wild berries, peonies, orange rind, loamy soil and exotic spices introduce the 2020 Échezeaux Grand Cru, a full-bodied, velvety and seamless wine that's rich and powerful, with a layered, concentrated core of vibrant fruit framed by powdery tannins and lively acids. Long and expansive, Felettig once again lamented that his holdings (located in lieu-dit Les Treux) were only planted in 2001, but already yields are declining precipitously as the rootstocks suffer in hotter, drier vintages.

From Les Treux, 20 year old vines. 60% whole bunch vinification. Dense but bright purple. Classy and detailed, with some firmness at the back but also a feel of lift from the whole bunches. Floral, then red fruit plus a hint of liquorice. Quite complex and surprisingly long.

(from young vines in Les Treux that were planted in 2001 and typically produce about two barrels or 600 bottles annually; ~30% whole clusters). A markedly floral and spice-suffused nose of poached plum displays notes of anise, sandalwood, exotic tea, violet and a hint of clove. The super-sleek and slightly bigger if perhaps less mineral-driven largerscaled flavors possess a lovely sense of underlying tension that carries over to the compact, moderately austere and beautifully persistent finale. This is potentially outstanding though at least some patience required.

The 2020 Echézeaux Grand Cru was showing just a little reduction on the nose. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly loose-knit tannins compared to the Chambolle Premier Crus. There is fine weight here and the 40% whole bunch is well integrated, though it requires more complexity on the finish.