Échezeaux Grand Cru, Philippe Pacalet 2024

Philippe Pacalet is one of Burgundy's most singular voices — a nephew of Marcel Lapierre, trained under Guy Accad, and for many years winemaker at Prieuré-Roch before striking out alone. He works without sulphur, ferments with whole clusters, and handles his wines with a lightness of touch that makes the fruit sing rather than shout. His Échezeaux sits within the Vosne-Romanée commune, directly above the village, and has a habit of wrong-footing people who expect Grand Cru weight. It's all nerve and perfume instead. "4.25 barrels (feuillettes). From Rougeaux Dessus and a small portion of Clos Saint-Denis. Brooding, spicy black fruit with a strong tannic core. Powerful and glorious, but will need time." Nathan Hill, Chairman Philippe was clear that while yields were historically low, the payoff is in the glass. Aromatic clarity, saline finishes and finely judged tannins run through the range, and the wines show real charm already alongside the structure to age. A year where selection mattered enormously, and in Pacalet’s hands, the results are compelling. Philippe Pacalet is one of Tim Atkin's 2024 Top 15 Négociants & Cooperatives .