In the glass
Aroma: blackcurrant, violet, crushed stone, cedar
Palate: cassis, fine tannin, graphite, long mineral finish
The walled clos opposite Chinon's chateau, owned by Couly-Dutheil since 1921. Tuffeau-limestone terroir gives cassis, cedar and a chalky mineral length in the estate's flagship Chinon.
What it pairs with
-
Beef sirloin with bone-marrow shallots
Rich beef and shallot reduction meet the wine's cassis and cedar register. -
Roast venison with juniper
Game and the wine's graphite spine align. -
Sainte-Maure de Touraine
Ash-rolled goat cheese sharpens the wine's mineral length. -
Mushroom and chestnut pithivier
Earthy autumn flavours mirror the wine's mineral and forest-floor depth.
History
Clos de l'Echo is a 15-hectare walled vineyard immediately adjacent to the Chateau de Chinon, said in legend to have belonged to Francois Rabelais's family. Couly-Dutheil has been its sole owner since 1921, making it a monopole.
- 1921 — Couly-Dutheil acquires the Clos de l'Echo monopole
- 1985 — Modern barrique ageing introduced under Jacques Couly
Facts
- Producer
- Couly-Dutheil
- Grapes
- Cabernet Franc (100%)
- Classification
- Chinon AOC
- Oak
- 12 to 14 months in oak barriques, around 25 percent new
- ABV
- 13.0%
- Price
- EUR 24 to 38 at retail
- Drinking window
- 8 to 25 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1921
- Organic
- ORGANIC CERTIFIED
- Vegan
- Yes (no animal-derived fining)
Scores
- Wine Advocate 91 (2018 vintage, reviewed 2020)
- Vinous 91 (2019 vintage, reviewed 2022)
Frequently asked about Clos de l'Echo
What does Clos de l'Echo taste like?
Blackcurrant, violet, crushed stone and cedar on the nose; cassis, fine tannin, graphite and a long mineral finish on the palate. Full-bodied with firm tannins and high acidity.
When should I drink Clos de l'Echo?
Drink between 8 and 25 years from vintage. Decant 60 to 90 minutes for young vintages.
What food pairs with Clos de l'Echo?
Beef sirloin with bone-marrow shallots, roast venison with juniper, and Sainte-Maure de Touraine goat cheese are all canonical matches.
Where is Clos de l'Echo made?
From a 15-hectare walled monopole immediately adjacent to the Chateau de Chinon in the Chinon AOC, owned by Couly-Dutheil since 1921.