2014 Grands-Echezeaux, Grand Cru, Domaine Coquard Loison-Fleurot, Burgundy

Domaine Coquard Loison Fleurot

Domaine Coquard Loison Fleurot is a family-owned estate that has gained recognition for its exceptional wines, particularly from the Côte de Nuits subregion, where they focus on producing high-quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

The Coquard and Loison families, with rich winemaking histories, came together to form the estate, and later, the Fleurot family joined the partnership. This consolidation allowed them to pool their expertise and resources, strengthening their position in the Burgundy wine scene.

The domaine benefits from prime vineyard holdings in various renowned appellations, including Vosne-Romanée, Gevrey Chambertin, and Chambolle Musigny, among others. The diverse terroir of these vineyards contributes to the complexity and character of their wines.

During the winemaking process, sustainable and traditional practices are emphasized, with great attention to detail at every stage. They focus on expressing the unique characteristics of each vineyard plot and strive to produce wines that reflect the true essence of Burgundy’s terroir. The Pinot Noir wines are often praised for their finesse, purity, balanced fruit, and earthy flavors. The Chardonnays are also well-regarded for their freshness and complexity.

Grands Echézeaux

Located in the larger Côte de Nuits sub-region of Burgundy, Grands Échezeaux is renowned for producing exceptional Pinot Noir wines with a rich history and a reputation for elegance and complexity.

The vineyard benefits from a diverse terroir that includes variations in soil types, exposure to sunlight, and elevation, contributing to the complexity and character of the wines produced here. It is divided among several wine producers, each with a distinct style and approach to winemaking. Some of the most notable producers include Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC), Domaine Mongeard-Mugneret, Domaine Anne Gros, and Domaine de la Vougeraie.

The wines are known for their depth, complexity, and elegance. They often exhibit a dark ruby colour and aromas of red and black fruits, such as cherries, raspberries, and sometimes even darker notes, like blackberries. Floral notes, earthy undertones, and subtle spices are also commonly found in these wines. They typically offer a harmonious balance of fruit, acidity, and refined tannins on the palate, allowing them to age gracefully over time.

Like many premium Burgundy wines, Grands Échezeaux has the potential to age and develop beautifully over the years. Properly cellared bottles can evolve to reveal more complex and nuanced characteristics, making them highly sought-after.

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is probably the most frustrating, and at times infuriating, wine grape in the world. However when it is successful, it can produce some of the most sublime wines known to man. This thin-skinned grape which grows in small, tight bunches performs well on well-drained, deepish limestone based subsoils as are found on Burgundy's Côte d'Or.

Pinot Noir is more susceptible than other varieties to over cropping - concentration and varietal character disappear rapidly if yields are excessive and yields as little as 25hl/ha are the norm for some climats of the Côte d`Or.

Because of the thinness of the skins, Pinot Noir wines are lighter in colour, body and tannins. However the best wines have grip, complexity and an intensity of fruit seldom found in wine from other grapes. Young Pinot Noir can smell almost sweet, redolent with freshly crushed raspberries, cherries and redcurrants. When mature, the best wines develop a sensuous, silky mouth feel with the fruit flavours deepening and gamey "sous-bois" nuances emerging.

The best examples are still found in Burgundy, although Pinot Noir`s key role in Champagne should not be forgotten. It is grown throughout the world with notable success in the Carneros and Russian River Valley districts of California, and the Martinborough and Central Otago regions of New Zealand.