1999 Georges & Henri Jayer Echezeaux

Georges & Henri Jayer was one of several labels used over the years by Henri Jayer, one of Burgundy's most legendary winemakers. Jayer made wine from his own Vosne-Romanee vineyards, but also made wine from the vineyards of his brothers Georges and Lucien. A Georges & Henri Jayer label meant that Henri made the wine from Georges’ grapes. Henri retired in 2002 and died in 2006. When he retired Henri's nephew-by-marriage, Emmanuel Rouget, took over the domaine. Rouget, who trained as an engineer, began working with Henri at the domaine in 1975. Rouget made the wine for Henri and sometimes for his brothers after Henri retired, but today Rouget has his own label.

Echezeaux is a 93-acre Grand Cru vineyard on the southern edge of the Cote de Nuits. It up the slope from Clos de Vougeot and Grands Echezeaux and is one of the largest grand crus in Burgundy. The vineyard varies in elevation from 250 to 300 meters, and the terroir includes significant clay as well as thin, rocky soil. The largest proprietors are Domaine de la Romanee Conti, with 11.68 acres; Mongeard-Mugneret with 6.25 acres, and Emmanuel-Rouget, with 3.58 acres. Echezeaux produces red wine.

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.