Domaine d’Eugenie Echezeaux Grand Cru 2017 0,75L

Domaine d’Eugénie Échézeaux Grand Cru 2017

The Estate

Domaine d’Eugénie stands as a testament to the marriage of tradition and modern excellence in Burgundy. Acquired by François Pinault in 2006 from the esteemed Engel family, the estate has been elevated to new heights under the direction of Frédéric Engerer and winemaker Emmanuel Rouget. Their approach combines rigorous organic viticulture, meticulous parcel selection, and minimal intervention winemaking to produce wines of exceptional purity and terroir expression.

With holdings across some of the Côte de Nuits’ most prestigious sites—including Clos Vougeot, Grands-Échézeaux, and Vosne-Romanée Premier Crus—the domaine has quickly established itself among Burgundy’s elite producers, balancing the region’s heritage with contemporary precision.

Grand Cru Terroir: Échézeaux En Orveaux

Échézeaux is one of Burgundy’s largest Grand Cru vineyards, encompassing 37 hectares divided into numerous climats and lieux-dits. Domaine d’Eugénie’s parcel sits in En Orveaux, located on the southern extremity of the vineyard nearest to Clos de Vougeot. This position offers deeper, richer soils with more clay content than the northern sections, resulting in wines with greater body and structure.

The terroir of En Orveaux produces Pinot Noir with ripe fruit character, supple tannins, and generous texture, while still maintaining the elegance and aromatic complexity expected from Grand Cru Burgundy. The vineyard’s gentle slope and eastern exposure ensure optimal ripening conditions, capturing morning sunlight while benefiting from afternoon shade that preserves freshness.

The 2017 Vintage

The 2017 vintage in Burgundy presented unique challenges that ultimately rewarded meticulous producers. Spring frosts in late April significantly reduced yields across the Côte d’Or, followed by a warm, dry summer that accelerated ripening. However, ideal harvest conditions in September allowed for selective picking at optimal maturity, resulting in wines of impressive concentration and balance despite the small crop.

Critics have praised 2017 for producing Pinot Noir with generous fruit, approachable tannins, and immediate charm, while maintaining enough structure for medium-term aging. The reduced yields concentrated flavors and aromatic intensity, making it a vintage of both pleasure and substance.

Tasting Experience

• The nose reveals aromas of ripe cherries, cassis, and black truffle, layered with rich soil tones and subtle toasty oak that adds complexity without dominating the fruit expression.
• On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, ample, and fleshy, showing the generous character of both the vintage and the En Orveaux terroir.
• Ripe acids provide structure and freshness, balancing the wine’s richness and preventing any heaviness on the mid-palate.
• Chewy back-end tannins add grip and substance, suggesting the wine will benefit from additional cellaring to fully integrate and soften.
• The finish shows good length with persistent dark fruit, earth, and spice notes, though it remains slightly firm—a characteristic that will evolve with time.

Service & Food Pairing

Serve at 16-18°C in large Burgundy stems. Decanting for 45-60 minutes is highly recommended to soften the tannins and allow the wine to express its full aromatic range. This is a structured Grand Cru that benefits from aeration and careful service.

Exceptional pairings:

• Braised beef short ribs with red wine reduction
• Roasted venison with juniper berry sauce and root vegetables
• Wild boar ragu over pappardelle
• Grilled ribeye steak with truffle butter
• Aged Comté or mature Époisses cheese

Cellaring & Evolution

The 2017 Échézeaux is approachable now but will reward patience. The wine’s firm tannins and concentrated fruit suggest optimal drinking will arrive around 2025-2030, when the structure fully integrates and tertiary complexity emerges. For those seeking immediate enjoyment, generous decanting is essential. Collectors should cellar bottles for another 3-5 years to witness the wine’s full evolution into a more refined, harmonious expression. Store horizontally in a cool (12-14°C), dark cellar with stable humidity to ensure proper aging conditions.