100% Pinot Noir

Wine Advocate: 94

Wine Advocate: The 1996 Echezeaux Grand Cru from Emmanuel Rouget is vindicating the plaudits that praised this wine on release. It is just a great Pinot Noir. Deep in hue, it is surprisingly backward and youthful on the nose, tightly wound with black fruit, cranberry and violets. Echézeaux-cum-Margaux perhaps! The palate is medium-bodied and very well balanced, quite sturdy in backbone as is common with many 1996s, stocky like Emmanuel with an almost sorbet-fresh, vivacious finish that beckons you back for another sip. It would not surprise me if at 30 years of age it warrants an even higher score. This is superb.