2016 Domaine Coquard Loison Fleurot, Echezeaux Grand Cru

The 2016 Echézeaux Grand Cru comes from 1.33 hectares of vines including Les Treux, which Thomas normally bottles as a separate cuvée. Matured in 50% new oak, it offers vibrant brambly red and black fruit on the nose, beautifully delineated with the oak seamlessly embroidered into the fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, a little spicier than its peers but extremely well focused and conveying outstanding texture on the finish. This is simply one of the best Echézeauxs that I have tasted in this vintage.

Cask sample. Mid purplish crimson. Lightly spicy, dark-red fruit and nicely dusty on the nose. Has the direct purity of all these Coquard-Loison-Fleurot wines. Dry, paper-fine tannins. Restraint and elegance and no lack of fruit in this upright, sober framework. (JH)