Echezeaux 2004

Deep ruby. A penetrating nose of moderately high-toned spicy black fruit trimmed in violets and floral notes that remains completely primary leads to supple but intense flavors that are rich and refined with excellent finishing energy and more refinement than I usually find here. I particularly like the fine balance and there is a sense of opulence here due to the heady spice notes and this too will be approachable relatively early yet be capable of a decade's worth of improvement. There is no reason that the wine should have changed much in only 5 years but there is perhaps a bit more depth than I originally foresaw developing this early on and I have raised my score slightly. Additionally, for my taste I would probably hold off to around 2014 rather than 2012 but still, this is not a wine for the very long haul, at least not by the usual standards of the Domaine.

Score: 91

Allen Meadows, Burghound Maturity: 2012+ 27 February 2009