2020 Echézeaux, Les Treux, Grand Cru, Domaine Jean Tardy, Burgundy

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.

Domaine Jean Tardy is now recognised as one of the leading producers in the Côte d'Or today. The vineyards he inherited from his father in 1970 were entirely leased from Domaine Méo-Camuzet, and, 30 years later, these still make up the majority of Jean's holdings. He has over the years added to these and the domaine now has 5 hectares of vineyards in Nuits-St-Georges, Vosne Romanée and Chambolle-Musigny. This indefatigable vigneron has now more or less handed over the reins to son Guillaume. They have also had to hand back that proportion of their vineyards which were being sharecropped for Domaine Méo-Camuzet, such as Nuits-St-Georges Bas de Combe and Clos de Vougeot. Further contracts are being sought. Jasper Morris MW, Burgundy Wine Director and author of the award-winning Inside Burgundy comprehensive handbook.