Grand Echezaux Burgundy

Within this esteemed appellation and Grand Cru vineyard in Burgundy’s Côte de Nuits region, Pinot Noir is the dominant grape; however, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc can also be grown here and used to make wine so long as it represents no more than 15 percent of the total blend. Rarely are these white-wine grapes used except to balance out the natural sugar and alcohol content. A soil type of clay with high concentrations of chalk sets these wines apart.

The appellation was created in 1936 and its most prized winery owner is Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, whose vines average around 52 years old and produce 1,150 cases annually. The winery’s Grands Échezeaux wine, is described as “concise and pure like the message of a Mozart quartet.” Flagey-Echézeaux is the village surrounding Grands Échezeaux, which constitutes about 22 acres of vineyards.

Quick Facts

• A bottle of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti wine stemming from this appellation costs $1,270
• In 2008, 32,000 bottles of wine were produced in the Grands Échezeaux appellation
• A bottle of the 1959 vintage of Grands Échezeaux runs between $1,700 and $1,900 at auction