Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC)
Romanée-Conti Grand Cru Pinot Noir
Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, France
The commune we have all been waiting for - Vosne Romanee. The first of 6 Grand Crus tasted blind. In 2 of the 3 previous tastings the first wine in this group has been the DRC RC and when I sampled the breathtaking quality of this wine I was thinking they have done it again. A couple of experts in the group felt the 2 DRC wines were at #1 and #4 This proved to be correct. My notes - Perfume of violets, pepper and Asian Spices. A perfect palate of both feminine charm and latent power ... unbelievable. The La Tache usually shows as more voluptuous in these tastings but not in 2016. I normally don’t have this much left in my glass after the wine has been identified so this was quite a luxury. Just wonderful. As Clive Coates MW said - the yardstick with which to judge all other Burgundies. It is easy to think with the 1000 year history, and the stone cross that there is something spiritual and other worldly about this wine. The consensus from all 12 tasters was that this was the best of the Vosne Romanee tasting and therefore of the whole 34 Grand Crus tasted. Only 440 dozen produced for the world.
The commune we have all been waiting for - Vosne Romanee. The first of 6 Grand Crus tasted blind. In 2 of the 3 previous tastings the first wine in this group has been the DRC RC and when I sampled the breathtaking quality of this wine I was thinking they have done it again. A couple of experts in the group felt the 2 DRC wines were at #1 and #4 This proved to be correct. My notes - Perfume of violets, pepper and Asian Spices. A perfect palate of both feminine charm and latent power ... unbelievable. The La Tache usually shows as more voluptuous in these tastings but not in 2016. I normally don’t have this much left in my glass after the wine has been identified so this was quite a luxury. Just wonderful. As Clive Coates MW said - the yardstick with which to judge all other Burgundies. It is easy to think with the 1000 year history, and the stone cross that there is something spiritual and other worldly about this wine. The consensus from all 12 tasters was that this was the best of the Vosne Romanee tasting and therefore of the whole 34 Grand Crus tasted. Only 440 dozen produced for the world.
Jan 27th, 2020
M’s bday dinner (8/12). Tasted blind. Tawny, translucent and thin. Angular nose, not as exotic nor powerful as the 71 Richebourg. Notes of cranberry, cassis, some earthy mushroom, dried roses, and dry soil. Chewy and impactful in the mouth. With air some brown sugar develops. While this particular bottle was probably past its peak, you get a sense of the huge impact this wine has or could have given.
M’s bday dinner (8/12). Tasted blind. Tawny, translucent and thin. Angular nose, not as exotic nor powerful as the 71 Richebourg. Notes of cranberry, cassis, some earthy mushroom, dried roses, and dry soil. Chewy and impactful in the mouth. With air some brown sugar develops. While this particular bottle was probably past its peak, you get a sense of the huge impact this wine has or could have given.
May 27th, 2019As the Vanessa Williams song goes “You went and saved the best till last”. My notes blind tasted - Restrained , perfumed - roses, some stems in evidence. Lovely back palate.” This legendary wine will outlive us all. A privilege to taste it and almost impossible to obtain at the right price. Some retailers in Melbourne have crazy price tags of about 4 times its proper price. This was the final wine in the 2015 Grand Cru Burgundy tasting conducted by Prince Wine Store. Another successful event.
As the Vanessa Williams song goes “You went and saved the best till last”. My notes blind tasted - Restrained , perfumed - roses, some stems in evidence. Lovely back palate.” This legendary wine will outlive us all. A privilege to taste it and almost impossible to obtain at the right price. Some retailers in Melbourne have crazy price tags of about 4 times its proper price. This was the final wine in the 2015 Grand Cru Burgundy tasting conducted by Prince Wine Store. Another successful event.
Jan 19th, 2019Tasted blind. Old wine color. Reddish light brown, thin and translucent. Notes of cherries, cola, earth, a little wood and some rhubarb. With more air this gained complexity and added salt and rose petals to its bouquet. At the end of the evening it had a nice richness too. But compared to a 66 DRC GE we had in the past year, there was consensus this must have had some issues with storage or handling at some point. Was really good but not the "Wow" we expected.
Tasted blind. Old wine color. Reddish light brown, thin and translucent. Notes of cherries, cola, earth, a little wood and some rhubarb. With more air this gained complexity and added salt and rose petals to its bouquet. At the end of the evening it had a nice richness too. But compared to a 66 DRC GE we had in the past year, there was consensus this must have had some issues with storage or handling at some point. Was really good but not the "Wow" we expected.
May 28th, 2018
This is the best wine I have enjoyed in the last 5 months. Still lingering in my minds eye. Moseltov!
This is the best wine I have enjoyed in the last 5 months. Still lingering in my minds eye. Moseltov!
Apr 1st, 2018At last, most people’s favourite commune, Vosne Romanee with 6 Grand Crus. To repeat - we taste blind knowing the identities but not the serving order. Therefore we knew La Tache and Romanee Conti were in the lineup. My notes for this Wine - “Some sappiness - no violets. Deep red fruits. Gorgeous flavours and textures. That’s where your $1000s go. Good intro to this bracket. “ So when revealed Prince Wine Store have done what they did last year and started with the Big Gun first. Probably would have added another point or 2 had I known its identity but still gave it 97. Jancis says Drinking Window is 2035 - 2050!Postscript: Prices of this wine are getting out of hand and out of reach!
At last, most people’s favourite commune, Vosne Romanee with 6 Grand Crus. To repeat - we taste blind knowing the identities but not the serving order. Therefore we knew La Tache and Romanee Conti were in the lineup. My notes for this Wine - “Some sappiness - no violets. Deep red fruits. Gorgeous flavours and textures. That’s where your $1000s go. Good intro to this bracket. “ So when revealed Prince Wine Store have done what they did last year and started with the Big Gun first. Probably would have added another point or 2 had I known its identity but still gave it 97. Jancis says Drinking Window is 2035 - 2050!Postscript: Prices of this wine are getting out of hand and out of reach!
Jan 13th, 2018
OK I don’t drink this kind of shit often (who does?) but wow. Just a complete wine. Tough to describe how integrated, seamless, and ethereal a wine can be.
OK I don’t drink this kind of shit often (who does?) but wow. Just a complete wine. Tough to describe how integrated, seamless, and ethereal a wine can be.
Nov 29th, 2017
One of the best balance Pinot I've ever taste!
One of the best balance Pinot I've ever taste!
3 people found it helpfulMar 12th, 2014
Amazing chance to taste this, very evocative and compelling. I can sort of understand the hype.
Amazing chance to taste this, very evocative and compelling. I can sort of understand the hype.
2 people found it helpfulFeb 28th, 2015
Super tight, but super classic.
Super tight, but super classic.
2 people found it helpfulOct 19th, 2013