Arnaud Baillot Echezeaux Grand Cru 2021

Arnaud Baillot is a young and passionate winemaker making waves in Burgundy, known for producing wines that authentically express their terroir. After gaining experience at prestigious estates, he founded his own label, focusing on small parcels of high-quality vineyards. The Echezeaux Grand Cru is one of the jewels in his portfolio, sourced from the famed Echezeaux vineyard in the Côte de Nuits. This vineyard is among the most revered in Burgundy, known for producing Pinot Noir of exceptional depth and complexity.

The terroir of Echezeaux is characterized by a mix of clay and limestone soils, which provide both richness and minerality to the wine. The vineyard's prime location on a gentle slope ensures optimal sun exposure, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly and develop a full range of flavors. The 2021 vintage was a cooler year, which has resulted in a wine of great elegance, with a precise balance between fruit, acidity, and tannins. The winemaking is meticulous, with careful attention to extraction and aging in French oak, ensuring that the wine retains its natural freshness and complexity.

Appearance: The wine exhibits a brilliant ruby colour with garnet highlights, indicating its youth and potential for aging.

Aroma: On the nose, this Grand Cru reveals a complex bouquet of red cherries, wild strawberries, and raspberries, layered with earthy notes of forest floor, truffle, and subtle hints of clove and cinnamon. Delicate floral aromas of violet and rose petal add an additional layer of refinement.

Taste: The palate is silky and elegant, with vibrant red fruit flavours of cherry and cranberry, balanced by savoury notes of earth and spice. The wine shows a beautiful harmony between its bright acidity and fine-grained tannins, providing structure without overpowering the delicate fruit. A hint of minerality underscores the wine's complexity, giving it a refined and precise character.

Finish: The finish is long and lingering, with persistent notes of red fruit, subtle spice, and a touch of earthy minerality. The wine's elegance and depth leave a lasting impression, suggesting great aging potential.

Pairing: This Echezeaux Grand Cru would be an exquisite match for pulled duck tortellini in French onion broth with sprouts, chive, and crispy shallot. The wine’s earthiness and bright acidity will complement the rich, savoury broth and the tender duck. Another excellent pairing would be charred venison rack with mesquite, black cabbage, caramelized pearl onion, and parsley jus. The wine’s structure and depth will stand up to the gamey flavours of the venison and the smoky, charred elements of the dish.