The 2011 Echezeaux Grand Cru comes from a single parcel located in Quartier Les Nuits. Raised in 50% new oak ,it has a fragrant dark cherry, strawberry and peppermint-scented bouquet that is quite exotic and extravagant. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe succulent tannins, plenty of fleshy ripe fruit with an assertive, grippy finish that needs to evolve finesse in bottle. But there is good substance and presence here with admirable length. God only knows how many times I have visited the hallowed lattice of twisting lanes in the village of Vosne, but I have never actually visited Domaine Gerard Mugneret, whose winery lies just off the central square. Here I met Pascale Mugneret, the third-generation winemaker following in the footsteps of his grandfather who was at the helm until 1973, and then his father up until 2004. He presently tends around 7.7 hectares of vine spread over ten appellations, which will increase to 13 next year due to new fermage agreement. He explained apologetically (since it sounds like a cliche) that he likes his wines to express their respective terroirs and remarked that for him, it is more interesting to taste wines whereby one can perceive the philosophy upon the vine. He thinks that the 2011 vintage is completely different to say, 2007, which people tend to compare it to, because of the different acidity levels. Importer: Becky Wasserman Selection (various importers), Le Serbet, Beaune; fax 011-33-3-80-24-29-70