Echézeaux is a 37.69 hectare Grand Cru vineyard situated in the commune of Flagey-Echézeaux (which is viticulturally joined with Vosne-Romanée). It lies upslope of the Clos de Vougeot and wraps around Grands-Echézeaux on the latter’s southern and western sides; and is bordered by Chambolle-Musigny on its north. One of the largest Grand Cru vineyards in Burgundy, Echézeaux is itself comprised of different lieux-dits: En Orveaux, Les Champs Traversins, Les Poulaillères, Les Rouges-du-Bas, Les Echezeaux-du-Dessus, Les Loachausses, Les Criots-en-Vignes-Blanches, Clos St-Denis, Les Treux, Les Quartiers de Nuits
The name “Echézeaux” derives ultimately from the Latin casalis meaning a rural house. Casalis was Gallicized to chesal which was pluralized into chesaux. In time, les chesaux became Echézeaux. The ealiest mention in official records was in 1287. The vineyard was acquired by the Abbot of Citeaux in 1353, in exchange for 3 livres tournois (“Tour pounds”) plus some vineyards in Chambolle.
Echézeaux faces east from an elevation that reaches 300 meters at the top and 260 meters down below. The slope varies from 10% at the base to 13% at the top. The soil, not surprisingly for such a large vineyard, varies significantly. In general, the base is Bajocian limestone and the soil is silty with considerable gravel and rocks. At the lower and flatter elevation, the soil is richer with a higher component of clay.
Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair has two parcels of Echézeaux, the first a .4 ha. piece in Les Criots-en-Vignes-Blanches, and the second a .2 ha piece in Les Champs Traversins.
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