1991 Grands Echezeaux

Tasted at the Domaine Engel tasting in London, the 1991 Grands Echézeaux Grand Cru echoed the last bottle that I tasted in Beaune: rather dense, quite rich (more so than the 1990) with touches of truffle coming through, then that tinge of Lapsang Souchang that I observed on a previous bottle. The palate is chewy and sweet, not quite as refined as the 1990 Grands Echézeaux, perhaps just compromised from being macerated for a day too long? It is an attractive Grand Cru that just lacks the precision and the sophistication that the late Philippe Engel imbued his other wines. Tasted October 2016.

The 1991 Grands Echézeaux Grand Cru has a beautiful bouquet with rose petals infusing the ebullient red berry fruit. It loses some of its initial chutzpah in the glass, but compensates by added complexity via secondary aromas such as sage and Lapsang Souchong. The palate has a touch more body and backbone than the 1996 tasted alongside. The tannins seem very fine here, with impressive body towards the finish (possibly because Philippe Engel utilized a little more new oak back in the day?). Drink this now and over the next ten years.

The 1991 Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru has a beautiful bouquet with rose petals infusing the ebullient red berry fruit. It loses some of its initial chutzpah in the glass, but compensates by added complexity via secondary aromas such as sage and Lapsang Souchong. The palate has a touch more body and backbone than the 1996 tasted alongside. The tannins seem very fine here, with impressive body towards the finish (possibly because Philippe Engel utilized a little more new oak back in the day?). Drink this now and over the next ten years. Dec 2015, www.robertparker.com