2002 Daniel Rion Echezeaux

Domaine Daniel Rion is a 45-acre estate based in Premeaux. It was started in 1955 when Daniel Rion inherited 5 acres and began growing grapes to sell to negociants. Starting in 1978 Rion’s sons joined the family business and the domaine added vineyards, built a larger cellar and started selling wine under their own label. Today the estate is still family run and has parcels in 18 appellations. The estate has a Grand Cru parcel in Clos Vougeot as well as Premier Crus in Vosne-Romanee and Nuits-Saints-Georges.

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.