94+ John Gilman - View from the Cellar

"Domaine de l’Écu’s Orthogneiss bottling is produced from vineyards with metamorphosed rock that is far more granitic than the straight micro schist found in the vineyards that make up the Gneiss bottling. As I mentioned last year, the domaine has old vines, with the average age fully fifty years old, and the 2012 Orthogneiss is stunning, as it jumps from the glass in a smokier constellation of bread fruit, pear, ocean breeze, beautiful leesy tones, dried flowers and an overtly smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and utterly seamless on the attack, with superb mid-palate depth, outstanding focus and grip and a very, very long, crisp and supremely elegant finish. Great juice. 2014-2035."