Domaine Romanee Conti Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru 2007

Parker: Tasted at Corney & Barrow in London. Juxtaposing this directly against the Echezeaux, its big brother has more complexity and intensity. Light stalky, red-berried fruit, a touch of damp straw, earthy/lichen, mandarin and just a faint hint of nutmeg. The palate is medium-bodied, like the Echezeaux under-pinned by a citric thread, although the fruit is a little rounder. Red cherries, redcurrant, a touch of strawberry, a gradual build in the mouth, fine tannic backbone towards the finish. This is a broody, quite introverted Grand Echezeaux, but it unfolds bewitchingly over twenty minutes and there is a sense of weightless power on the finish that is totally intoxicating. 93/100 (2010)

Jancis Robinson: Quite pale – paler than the Échezeaux. Initial fruit impression is a little darker, slightly smoky and a tiny bit stemmy, maybe even a mushroom edge. Definitely less fragrant and more closed than the Échezeaux at this stage. Tighter, a little firmer grip, with the structure more visible. Acidity seems more marked too but it is still well in balance. 17.5/20 (2010)