The Thousand Faces of Ysèseaux: The Changing Beauty and Terroir Secrets of Burgundy's Grand Crus!

The Echézeaux you hold in your hand may not be the most well-known of Burgundy's Grand Crus, but it is undoubtedly one of the vineyards with the most "character" and "transformative beauty." At Château de Chaussee , we are well aware of Echézeaux's allure—like a woman with a thousand facets, each bottle telling a unique story of a different plot, a different winemaker, and a different vintage. Today, let us delve deeper into Echézeaux's terroir, unlocking the secrets of its diversity and witnessing how the renowned winemakers of this region have fully captured its essence!

1. A Kaleidoscope of Local Customs: Iseso's "11 Secret Gardens"

The Grand Cru d'Yseseau is located in the village of Vosne-Romanée in Burgundy's Côte de Nuits, close to the renowned Clos de Vosne, Grand d'Yseseau, and Romanée-St.-Vivant. However, its most unique feature is that it comprises a whopping 11 separate parcels (lieux-dits), each with its own subtle terroir variations, which is the root of Yseseau's "thousand faces."

• Diverse soil layers: From the clay-rich lower slopes near the village to the poor limestone and gravel soils on the upper slopes, Ysersau showcases a rich variety of soil compositions. This allows the grapes from different plots to develop distinct flavors, giving the final wines fascinating complexity and depth.

• Subtle differences in microclimate: Even within the same vineyard, different plots of land, depending on their slope, aspect, altitude, and even the presence of trees, can affect the sunlight and ventilation available to the grapes. These subtle differences ultimately manifest themselves in the wine's aroma, acidity, and tannin structure.

• The finesse of Les Rouges du Bas, the richness of Les Loächausses: For example, the deeper soils of the Les Rouges du Bas parcels in the lower vineyards often produce wines with greater finesse and elegance, while Les Loächausses, on the other hand, can yield wines with greater intensity and structure. These are the secrets of Ysèseaux, waiting to be discovered for yourself.

II. A Gathering of Masters: Iseso's "Shining Stars"

Compared to Romanée-Conti or Romanée-Saint-Vivant, which are mainly dominated by DRC, Ysesso has many top Burgundy wineries owning plots here, which also makes Ysesso's style present a diverse charm.

• DRC's iconic wines: Romanée-Conti's (DRC) Echasseaux are undoubtedly sought after by collectors worldwide. Their wines often exhibit exceptional purity, elegance, depth, and exceptional aging potential, making them considered the benchmark for Echasseaux.

• Wonderful interpretations by other greats: But don't forget about other equally amazing producers! For example:

  • Domaine Dujac: Its Ysèseau is renowned for its finesse, fragrant aromas and exceptional balance.

  • Mugneret-Gibourg: This wine is vibrant, fruity, and has excellent aging potential.

  • Gros Frère et Soeur: Their Ysère et Soeur tends to be bolder, with rich red fruit aromas.

  • Jean Grivot: His wines are known for their power and complexity.

These different winemakers, working on the same land, use their own philosophies and skills to fully interpret the diverse terroir of Ysersot, making every bottle of Ysersot full of surprises.

3. The Scroll of Years: Iseso's "Mark of Time"

Iseso 's wines faithfully record the climatic characteristics of each vintage, making the vintage an important clue to interpreting its "character".

• Elegant vintages: In cooler or rainy years (such as 2008 and 2014), Iseault may exhibit a lighter, more floral style with fresh acidity , making it ideal for short to medium-term drinking.

• Strong Years: In years with ample sunshine and high maturity (such as 2005, 2009, 2015, 2018, and 2019), Iseault will exhibit a fuller, more fruity structure with firm tannins . It has excellent aging potential and can develop complex aged aromas such as truffles, leather, and earth.

Understanding the characteristics of different years will help you better judge the style, potential and best drinking time of the Ysersau in your hand.

At Château de Chaussée , we not only appreciate the diversity and complexity of Essex , but we also understand the unique value of each bottle. Regardless of the parcel, estate, or vintage, we offer the best possible return on your precious Essex, backed by our unparalleled expertise and impartial assessment.