2016 Domaine Georges Noëllat Échezeaux Grand Cru

Domaine Georges Noëllat is one of the most closely watched estates in Vosne-Romanée. Since taking control in 2010, Maxime Cheurlin has built a style around pure fruit, gentle extraction and the ability of old vines to carry substantial oak without losing the identity of the vineyard.

The domaine’s Échezeaux comes from a minute 0.07-hectare parcel in the lieu-dit 'Les Cruots', directly beside Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru 'Les Suchots'. The Pinot Noir vines were planted before 1915, and the poor, stony soil has a high chalk content. This is a tiny source of exceptionally old-vine fruit, giving the wine concentration without the need for aggressive extraction.

The domaine works sustainably, harvests by hand and ferments with ambient yeasts. The fruit is largely destemmed, with gentle pump-overs and limited punch-downs. Élevage takes place in barrel, with a high proportion of new oak used for this grand cru, followed by bottling generally without fining or filtration.

In the glass: black cherry, raspberry and cassis are joined by violet, sweet spice, cocoa and a cool mineral note. The palate is concentrated but finely shaped, with ripe fruit, energetic acidity and polished tannins. Oak gives us a gentle spice, but the finish returns to red fruit, limestone and a precise savoury line.

Échezeaux can vary greatly across its many lieux-dits. This bottling is defined by the old vines of Les Cruots and by the producer's refined, textural style: generous in the centre, detailed at the edges and built for long development.

Roast duck, beef fillet, mushroom risotto or pasta, truffle dishes, aged cheeses.

Serve: 16 °C
Drink: 2026–2040