Le Domaine de la Romanée Conti stands as one of the oldest vineyards in the world. First cropping up in the annals of time around 1131 under the appellation Cros des Clous. Today, Romanée Conti is the rockstar of wines, reigning as the pinnacle of vinicultural desire, coveted by the many but tasted by very few.
Peter shares his exclusive collection of 159 Romanée Conti tasting notes for your enjoyment.
14/10/2017: Romanée Conti 1999, l’Ecrin Restaurant in Ginza – Tokyo, Japan
DRC ROMANÉE CONTI 1999
Color: Red brick
Nose: Surprisingly young, eve a bit rough when just opened, not accessible.
Taste: Softened up after an hours , more balanced, lovely and vibrant finish. Definitively need another 5 years. 85 in the beginning then 90+ and after two hours still 90+
DRC LA TACHE 1999
Color: Brick color but less than Romanée Conti, funnily enough
Nose: Delicious round deep fruit on the nose
Taste: Superb after one hour, dense balanced fruit, unctuous mouthwatering licorice finish, ripe jammy black fruits. A young wine, not yet at is top, but already very enjoyable now. Superb young inspiring gives energy and you really want to have a case in your cellar to follow this wine over, one bottle a year!
If you decide that this is a priority, the wine is not the least expensive great wine on the market…
95+
DRC RICHEBOURG 1999
Nose: Superbly fragrant nose, but less seducing than La Tache,
Taste: In the mouth fine elegant acidity, quite closed at the opening, finely tannic, reserved but nice length.
Far away from its peak, wait 5-10 years to get full flavor, but everything is there, but in its infancy
93+
DRC ROMANÉE SAINT VIVANT 1999
Nose: Superb dry fragrant on the nose
Taste: In the mouth nice but dry, not as easy going as La Tache and not even as the pretty closed in as Richebourg, a step behind in ripeness. As always, always elegant but not forthcoming.
But after an hour finer and more agréable than Richebourg. Anyway let’s face it, all these wines needs more time.
You think 18 years is sufficient, especially in a ripe vintage like 1999, but no…Does not apply to DRC.
93+
DRC GRANDS ECHEZEAUX 1999
Nose: Really nice seducing elegant ripe nose.
Taste: Surprisingly more strait that Romanée Saint Vivant, more focused
But again, you can analyse, but the conclusion is wait.
93+
DRC ECHEZEAUX 1999
Taste: At opening, ripe round but tannic in the finish.
After 90 minutes…
Dense tannic fragrant superb with nice length.
Balanced, young fruit, vibrant, but I admit a bit rough tannins, but young.
2.5 hours, Superb, vibrant in the mouth, magic!
94
CONCLUSION
La Tache 1999 and Echezeaux 1999 were the most approachable, young delicious and nice now, but wait 1-2 hours.
But both will improve greatly in 5-10 years.
Romanée Conti 1999 really really too young! Wait 15-20 years to peak.
The other wines in between.
19/09/2014: Romanée Conti 1969, Tokyo, Japan
DRC ROMANÉE CONTI 1996
At the opening of the bottle:
Color: Light transparent red brick a tiny bit cloudy.
Nose: Very surprisingly open for this tight vintage, refined, a lot of fragrance,
Taste: Round, subtle and balanced. A bit dry, not giving all it has yet.
90+p
After 90 minutes
A bit rough for a Conti, but delicious, liquoriche, concentrated almost thick! Very dense and fine, very long and fragrant, still an enormous potential. Vibrates in the mouth minutes and minutes.
Could last another 10-20 years!
96+p
DRC LA TACHE 1996
At the opening of the bottle:
Color: Superb dark red, hardly any brick on the edges.
Nose: Fantastically concentrated, powerful, and fragrant. Elegance and power.
Taste: Wonderful in the mouth, round, dense and long. Still quite young!
95+p
After 90 minutes
Dark red, fantastic taste, power, black, fruits, licorice. A great wine, can age, almost too young, has a lot of potential, a lot of tannins, but refined, tannins on the teeth. Wait with this one will be exceptional in 10 years!
Now 94p potential of 97 in 10 years
DRC RICHEBOURG 1996
At the opening of the bottle:
Color: Nice red a bit brick color
Nose: Red fruits, some spices, very seductive, great class, very complex,
Taste: Superb, round and balanced great distinction, fin and very nice concentrated dry finale.
94+
After 60 minutes
Nose: White flowers, lys
Taste: Superb fruit, plus the flowers that follows into the mouth, fragrant, intense, balance and great distinction and classe
Perfect now, as opposed to La Tache and Romanée Conti that will improve.
96p
DRC ROMANEE SAINT VIVANT 1996
At the opening of the bottle
Color: Beautiful red crystal clear red brick
Nose: Seductive, but you sent the alcohol
In the mouth, round, alcohol, lacks complexity, but good
92p
After 60 minutes
Color: superbe intense red
Nose: Refined and seductive, dence refined and elegant. Nice dry seductive classy finish
After 120 minutes
Soft, you taste the alcohol, quite simple but nice
90p
DRC GRANDS ECHEZEAUX 1996
At the opening of the bottle
Color: Red brick, clear, superbe
Nose: Red fruits, and spices, complex; vanilla
Taste: Round and complete, fine, balanced and quite long. Nice finish, a bit dry but vibrant
92p
After 60 minutes
Red intense
Nose: Fine seductive, superbe, dense, elegant and subtle
Taste: Classy, nice dryness,seductive finish
94p
DRC ECHEZEAUX 1996
At the opening of the bottle
Color: Light red brick transarant
Nose: Spicy with clear red fruit
In the mouth dry, spicy, nice refined finish
90+p
After 45 minutes
Tannins nice fruit, a bit short, and rustique for a DRC, a bit surprising. Kind of tranperses the cheeks !
After 240 minutes
Round, granular (not refined) good, but not magical
17/10/1989: Romanée Conti 1929, Plaza Athénée, Paris
Colour: cloudy, quite transparent, red /brownish
Nose: nice but on its way down
Palate: superb, very fine, coffee, old but delicious, quite a lot of acidity, licorice, a bit tannic, not at all like the bottle I tasted at the Domaine in 1987
90p
One hour: 92p
24/6/1989: Romanée Conti 1929, Private tasting in Paris
Colour: red brick colour
Nose: almost port-like, very ripe fruit
Palate: good, quite fat, good length, a lot of substance, old, but round, much more powerful than the 1929 tasted at the Domaine in 1987, despite the fact that it comes from the same cellar.
95p, One hour: 95p
15/4/1987: Romanée Conti 1929, Domaine de la Romanée Conti
Colour: superb rosé, sparkling red/orange colour,
Nose: old leaves, port-like, I could sense the fragrance from across the room,
Palate: round, soft, old leaves, almost sweet, very nice length. Leaning towards port taste but superb
97p
17/10/1989: Romanée Conti 1934, Plaza Athénée, Paris
Nose: Pinot Noir and Madeira, obviously a damaged bottle
Palate: soft, excellent, but oxidized, good concentration
87p
24/6/1989: Romanée Conti 1934, Private tasting in Paris
Colour: beautiful red brick colour,
Nose: rich, old, a bit oxidized, powerful,
Palate: full flavour, alcoholic, almost burning the tongue, nice fruit, smoky, complex and powerful, but a hot day today which probably skews the tasting. Very impressive, a really great wine
95p
17/10/1989: Romanée Conti 1935, Plaza Athénée, Paris
Colour: light brownish colour
Nose: oxidized but not bad, but a damaged bottle,
Palate: Madeira, dry, oxidized, but a superb after taste, exceptional length
82p, One hour: 87p
17/10/1989: Romanée Conti 1937, Plaza Athénée, Paris
Nose: Oxidized,
Palate: chocolate, not bad, coffee, nice but oxidized, long, meaty
87p
18/10/2004: Mixture of Romanée Conti 1940–1996, Restaurant Sushi-Ko, C. Suda, Tokyo
Sediments from all bottles from the Crescent House tasting on 16/10/2004
Colour: very dark red, almost black,
Nose: over ripe cherries and black fruit,
Palate: very dense, very ripe, extremely complex but still a lot of class and refinement and good long finish
95p
24/10/2009: Romanée Conti 1940, Okura Hotel, Tokyo
Bottle guarantee number: 21766 (Provenance direct from DRC 1989)
Colour: Brick, almost brown colour,
Nose: fine but a bit oxidized, mild, very subtle,
Palate: old leaves, delicious, but is no longer a twenty year old!
A wine on its way down, but very gracious and slightly volatile.
92p, Two hours: decaying – drink up! 90p
24/10/2009: Romanée Conti 1940, Okura Hotel, Tokyo
Bottle Guarantee number: 21758 (Provenance direct from DRC 1989)
A more expressive nose with nice old fruit, good balance with hints of oxidization
90+
16/10/2004: Romanée Conti 1940, Crescent House restaurant, Tokyo
Bottle #1 (2cm)
Colour: quite light red brick,
Nose: smoky raspberries,
Palate: smoke, licorice, intense fruit, Beautiful body, soft, a bit of alcohol, long, subtle finish
95p, One hour: 93p
16/10/2004: Romanée Conti 1940, Crescent House restaurant, Tokyo
Bottle #2
Palate: meaty and acid, a little bit unbalanced, not the sophistication of bottle #1, but after half an hour the soil takes over and the wine is transformed into an elegant, fruity, long wine
88p, One hour: 93p
16/10/2004: Romanée Conti 1940, Crescent House restaurant, Tokyo
Colour: smoky nose,
Palate: refined with intense fruit, lovely body, soft, quite a lot of alcohol which diminishes after one hour
95p
19/4/1996: Romanée Conti 1940, Restaurant Vincent, Tokyo
Colour: rosé brownish, very light,
Nose: vanilla and soft red fruits, refined and complex, superb,
Palate: coffee, very intense fruit, refined, a bit volatile, all in perfect harmony, but thin fruit, only feel the backbone of the wine. Very long, balanced with nice acidity, pleasant. Lovely if you take a mouthful, otherwise the acidity comes through. A great wine, but dry
87p, Half an hour: 90p, One hour: 80p
30/11/1991: Romanée Conti 1940, Auberge Ichi Riki, Kyoto
Colour: light brick colour,
Nose: a bit closed and slightly volatile,
Palate: dry, light fruit, declining, but drinkable, quite refined
88p, One hour: 80p
16 October 2004: Romanée Conti 1942, Crescent House restaurant, Tokyo
Bottle #1 (2cm)
Colour: very light red brick,
Nose: exquisite old fruit,
Palate: fresh beginning then old and gracious, a lot of class, long smoky magical fruit, lingers on, but very subtle. You have to pay attention in order to enjoy this wine.
97p
16 October 2004: Romanée Conti 1942, Crescent House restaurant, Tokyo
Bottle #2 (2cm)
Nose: less expressive, old but very lively,
Palate: soft, fine, classy with nice acidity, superb wine, very delicate
This is Romanée Conti!
96p
16/10/2004: Romanée Conti 1942, Crescent House restaurant, Tokyo
Nose: smokey and a nice subtle fruit,
Palate: licorice, smokey, but nice acidity in the body
94p
14/4/1995: Romanée Conti 1942, Restaurant Vincent, Tokyo
Bottle #1
Colour: red, very light and brownish,
Nose: very subtle a bit volatile, flowers and concentrated fruit,
Palate: round, refined acidity, slightly burning on the tongue, smokey, great wine, very long, all very refined, impressive but with a fine, subtle acid which dominates the finish
93p, One hour: 90p
14/4/1995: Romanée Conti 1942, Restaurant Vincent, Tokyo
Bottle #2
Nose: a bit volatile but this is not disturbing at all, an old wine,
Palate: soft, fine, old but with a lot of acidity which burns a bit, fragile, seems to be declining
After quarter of an hour it dries out and falls apart
88p, Quarter of an hour: 84p, Two hours: undrinkable
30/11/1991: Romanée Conti 1942, Auberge Ichi Riki, Kyoto
Colour: red/orange, even younger than the 1979!
Nose: leather, coffee, flowers, superb and extremely complex,
Palate : old, refined, superb complexity, old but perfect. Licorice, tobacco, leather, superb refined taste, finishes with lovely acidity
98p, Half an hour: 100p, One hour: 100p
24/6/1989 : Romanée Conti 1945, private tasting in Paris
Colour: brown/red, quite dark,
Nose: superb port-like, complex, strawberry jam,
Palate: superb entry into the mouth, suddenly growing, but then becomes acidic and quite short, odd, could possibly be wonderful in five years or maybe it’s the room temperature which unsettles this wine
87p?
29/6/1999: Romanée Conti 1952, Domaine Romanée Conti
Bottle #1 (7cm)
Colour: brown, very light,
Nose: oxidised but not finished,
Palate: acid, refined, a bit sharp, but not bad, we’ll have to see what it’s like in half an hour
84p, Half an hour: 88p: getting better, more harmonious, but clearly a bottle that is declining
29/6/1999: Romanée Conti 1952, Domaine Romanée Conti
Bottle #2 (5cm)
Colour: clear, brown, very light,
Nose: superb, mushrooms,
Palate: mushrooms, nice acidity and length, all with mushroom taste, discreet pleasant acidity, a little bit too much of it, but good and very sophisticated
89p
29/6/1999: Romanée Conti 1952, Comptoir des Sports, Paris
Bottle #2 (5cm) continued, after 5 hours
Nose: on the edge, maybe too oxidised, chocolate,
Palate: very complex, volatile, chocolate and mushrooms, but it has gone off, didn’t survive the trip from Domaine Romanée Conti five hours ago
70p
29/6/1999:Romanée Conti 1952, Domaine Romanée Conti
Bottle #3 (11.5cm)
Nose: oxidised,
Palate: no longer a good bottle, chocolate
60p?
29/6/1999: Romanée Conti 1952, Domaine Romanée Conti
Bottle #4 (6.5cm)
Colour: brown, very light,
Nose: oxidised and mushrooms,
Palate: acid, but stylish, nice and balanced, a nice bottle
88p
29/6/1999: Romanée Conti 1952, Domaine Romanée Conti
Bottle #5 (5.5cm)
Colour: brown, very light,
Nose: mushrooms and alcohol,
Palate: soft, refined, classy, long with a nice fresh finish
91p
17/10/1989: Romanée Conti 1953, Plaza Athénée, Paris
Nose: coffee, wonderful,
Palate: superb, nice acidity, coffee and meaty, wine which is at its best, subtle and complex
Half an hour: 96p, One hour: 98p
30/11/1991: Romanée Conti 1954, Auberge Ichi Riki, Kyoto
Nose: coffee, refined complex fruit,
Palate: light, refined, what a pleasure this refinement, quite complex coffee, subtle, excellent. A faultless wine, nice length
90p, Half an hour: 92p, Two hours: 90p
27/10/1994: Romanée Conti 1957, Restaurant Vincent, Tokyo
Bottle #1
Colour: red/orange brick, very light,
Nose: feminine, refined, very complex, red fruits and leather,
Palate: refined, still some acid, very long, very fine and complex, nice concentration
93p, Half an hour: 93p, (Two hours: only the acidity remains), Three hours: 90p
27/10/1994: Romanée Conti 1957, Restaurant Vincent, Tokyo
Bottle #2
Colour: red, very light orange brick colour, Nose: vigorous, feminine, very seducing, spicey, very typical Romanée Conti, Palate: refinement, pepper, delicate fruit, but strong at the same time, complex, quite acid, still young
93p
–
27/10/1994: Romanée Conti 1957, Restaurant Vincent, Tokyo
Bottle #3 (reconditioned)
Colour: red, very bright and very light, a little bit brown around the edges, Nose: seductive, less force and pepper than #2, but nice, Palate: less energy, less intense than #2 on all levels, slightly tired, more soft tannins, a great wine but not a 100% pleasant
90p
–
27/10/1994: Romanée Conti 1957, Restaurant Vincent, Tokyo
Bottle #4
Nose: superb seductive nose, Palate: slightly acid, less complex than # 1 & 2, but clearly superior to #3
93p
–
27/10/1994: Romanée Conti 1957, Restaurant Vincent, Tokyo
Bottle #5
Colour: red/brown, Nose: great and seductive, Palate: soft, fragrant, nice acidity, quite long and refined but not the strength of #1 & 2
One hour: acidity but still seductive fruit and very long, not 100% balanced due to the acidity
90p
–
24/10/2009: Romanée Conti 1959, Okura Hotel, Tokyo
Bottle #21757 (Provenance direct from DRC 1989)
Colour: red brick, Nose: on the nose, even better than the previous bottle 21759 tasted
Palate: subtle fruit which shows the tannins underneath
94p
–
24/10/2009: Romanée Conti 1959, Okura Hotel, Tokyo
Bottle #21759 (Provenance direct from DRC 1989)
Nose: A bit closed on the nose, a bit jammy but light, dry, Palate: Very little fruit in the beginning.
One hour: Turns a bit meaty on the nose, balanced, perfect tannins. Complex fruit
95p
Two hours: the alcohol dominates, but a monument. 93p
–
17/10/2005: Romanée Conti 1959, Uemura Tasting at Restaurant Vincent, Tokyo
(Provenance direct from DRC 1989)
Colour: red in the centre, going orange around the edges, Nose: excellent, but not exceptional, complex fruit, but not very typical Pinot Noir, Palate: refined but quite a lot of oxidization, probably re-conditioned. Good, but lacks a bit in balance, not as good as the 1976 the other day
90p, One hour: changes a bit, slightly sharp on the finish, not at all what I would expect for this vintage / 87p
–
16/10/2004: Romanée Conti 1959, Crescent House restaurant, Tokyo
Bottle #1 (3cm)
Colour: rosé, Nose: quite jammy, old a bit tired, meaty, Palate: tired, fruit but drying out a bit.
A great wine but you feel it’s on its way down, but still a lot of class
90p
–
16/10/2004: Romanée Conti 1959, Crescent House restaurant, Tokyo
Bottle #2 (0.5cm)
Colour: very light red orange, Nose: much fresher than bottle #1, Palate: excellent fruit, full of life, pleasant, also declining, but more acidity than bottle #1
93p
–
16/10/2004: Romanée Conti 1959, Crescent House restaurant, Tokyo
Bottle #3
Colour: red, light brick colour, Nose: subtle very ripe red fruits, nice wood, Palate: supple, a bit of alcohol, a bit short, red fruit, a wine which is gently declining
90p
–
16/10/2004: Romanée Conti 1959, Crescent House restaurant, Tokyo
Bottle #4
Colour: red, light brick colour, Nose: a bit volatile, Palate: ripe, complex, red fruit jam, finishes a bit dry
92p
–
16/10/2004: Romanée Conti 1959, Crescent House restaurant, Tokyo
Bottle #5
Nose: volatile nose with red fruits and a little bit of oak, Palate: quite a lot of tannins and nice acidity, fragrant but feeling of decline, has probably seen better days, not as long anymore, but a great wine
91p
–
16/10/2004: Romanée Conti 1959, Crescent House restaurant, Tokyo
Bottle #6
Nose: volatile and oaky, Palate: volatile, dry, some tannins, quite a lot of ripe fruit, but as I haven’t eaten and have tasted 40 wines, I am starting to lack a bit in concentration
91+p
–
16/10/2004: Romanée Conti 1959, Crescent House restaurant, Tokyo
Bottle #7
Nose: alcohol and a bit volatile, Palate: soft fruit but slightly too much alcohol
87+p
–
18/10/2004: Romanée Conti 1959, Sushi-Ko, Tokyo
Colour: red brick, Nose: magical, complex, red fruits and oak, Palate: round, complex and refined, perfect balance and long but dry finish
94p
–
17/10/2002: Romanée Conti 1959, Tokyo
(Reconditioned in 1989, provenance direct from DRC 1989)
Colour: superb ruby red colour but light red brick around the edges, not dense in colour, but dark all the same … mysterious, Nose: very complex, red fruits, volatile, superb, port wine and vanilla, Palate: round, old Pinot Noir, it’s difficult to distinguish all the different tastes as it’s so complex, very fragrant, old wood, magical, long fresh finish, but without being acidic. To have 100p it would have needed to be slightly longer and rounder, kind of not feeling that you have swallowed the wine and that it’s still in the mouth. Very intense wine, but surprisingly enough not that refined, possibly they added another vintage when it was re-conditioned
99p
–
10/10/2001: Romanée Conti 1959, Restaurant Vincent, Tokyo
Bottle #1 Reconditioned in 1987 (Provenance direct from DRC)
Palate: Superb, fragrant, nice acidity and complexity
91p
After half an hour: magic, nice refined, but no acidity, clean but not complex, rather fresh, maybe too acidic for the vintage (have they added a bit of 1972?), but delicious and vigorous. Doesn’t seem 100% like a 1959, stylish and complex: 93p
–
10/10/2001: Romanée Conti 1959, Restaurant Vincent, Tokyo
Bottle #2 (reconditioned in 1987, provenance direct from DRC)
Palate: body, alcohol, almost burning, a lot of tannins and concentration, excellent, a bit odd, not bad but a lot of alcohol, acidity and concentration, still quite refined. Surprising, not typical but it has a slightly magical touch, unbalanced, a nice finish, full of charm.
After one hour: 92+p
–
20/4/2000: Romanée Conti 1959, Retaurant Côte d’Or, Tokyo
(0.3cm , provenance direct from DRC)
Colour: red, slightly brick coloured around the edges, Nose: soft, alcohol and licorice powerful, Palate: still a lot of tannins, not very refined, more like a La Tache, a little bit rough and fills the mouth well. A little too much alcohol: 87p?
–
20/4/1999: Romanée Conti 1959, Retaurant L’Ecrin, Tokyo
(0.5cm, Reconditioned in 1989, provenance direct from DRC)
Colour: clean light red transparent, hardly any brick around the edges, Nose: vanilla and toffee, Palate: coffee, round, superb, long, fat but a bit strange, toffee finish, suprising, young and old at the same time, slightly burning dense toffee taste. Better than last time I tasted it, but strong (probably reconditioned with a younger vintage), fat, but the finish has a little bitter touch.
87p
–
9/4/1998: Romanée Conti 1959, Restaurant Vincent, Tokyo
Bottle #1
Colour: red brick, Palate: soft with alcohol that burns a bit, smoky, but the alcohol makes it a bit short, not balanced in the beginning, getting better after one hour
88p
One hour: 89p
–
9/4/1998: Romanée Conti 1959, Restaurant Vincent, Tokyo
Bottle #2
Nose: superb spicey fruit, but alcohol, Palate: a bit fatter than the previous bottle and more fruit but still quite a lot of alcohol, a little bit short, not as large and long as it should be, a lot of fruit but too much alcohol.
85p
–
19/4/1996: Romanée Conti 1959, Restaurant Vincent, Tokyo (Mr & Mrs Uhemura tasting)
Colour: light red with brick coloured edges, Nose: superb, classy, Pinot Noir nose, complex (coffee and red and black fruit jam, Palate: balanced, refined, great class and not very concentrated but quite refined and balanced, very complex, surpiring wine a monument
94p
Half and hour: vanilla, coffee, refined, great class, dry and long finish and an adventure to follow the development of its taste: 96p
One hour; balanced, refined, good fruit, it’s a great bottle
–
30/11/1991: Romanée Conti 1959, Auberge Ichi Riki, Kyoto
Colour: superb, dark brick, Nose: volatile, Palate: soft, nice acidity, good balance, almost sweet, weighs on the tongue, fruit and leather, large and very long.
93p
One and a half hour: declining, still great but becomes slightly acid
Two hours: 90p
–
17/10/1989: Romanée Conti 1959, Plaza Athénée, Paris
Palate: superb, has probably suffered a bit during the storage but agreable and concentrated, a little bit of chocolate.
90p
–
6/6/1985: Romanée Conti 1959, Private tasting in Paris
Colour: quite dark, glints of brick colour, Nose: refined, quite large, subtle fragrance, Palate: soft, fine, very long, burns a bit, red fruits, younger than the other DRC wines from this vintage, superb, a lot of class, raspberries
95p, NB: probably 98p in five years
–
9/2/1991: Romanée Conti 1961, Epanoui Wine Club, Tokyo
(4.5cm)
Colour: light brick colour, Nose: superb and forceful, Palate: Perfect balance, surprisingly young, a lot of finesse, superb length, a bit dry and slightly bitter in the end
93p
–
10/9/1988: Romanée Conti 1961, Ronsard
NB: Tasted just after having been transported
Colour: Nice brick colour with lovely red glints, Nose: closed at the opening, Palate: not very developed, fine, long
90p, One hour: Nose: more complex, seductive and refined, Palate: opens up, even more refined, discreet Pinot Noir, charming like lace, good length, wonderfully fragrant but not fat, quite restrained and more like a Bordeaux than a Burgundy Grand Crû. 96p
Two: 98p
–
24/10/2009: Romanée Conti 1962, Okura Hotel, Tokyo
Bottle # 21760 (Provenance direct from DRC 1989)
(1cm, re-corked in 1989)
Colour: Very light red brick colour, Nose: superb subtle perfume on the nose, Palate: a mixture of very ripe raspberries and light smoke, slightly woody, all in perfect refined harmony. Fantastic balance.
98p
One hour: Still extraordinary nose, on the palate the alcohol is more prominent. Refined, but the tannins start to show through, but in a beautiful way.
95p
–
24/10/2009: Romanée Conti 1962, Okura Hotel, Tokyo
Bottle # 21764 (Provenance direct from DRC 1989)
(1cm, re-corked in 1989)
Colour: very light in colour, Palate: perfectly balanced, lovely fragrance, complex, long, perfect
100p
Two hours : still the best so far: 97p
Three hours : superb nose, palate perfectly balanced, wonderful finish with nice tannins: 97p
Four hours : Heavenly nose
–
16/10/2004: Romanée Conti 1962, Crescent House restaurant, Tokyo
Bottle #1 (3cm)
Colour: quite rosé, Nose: complex, powerful and jammy, Palate: soft, a little bit of cork, but which joins the fruit nicely giving a nice balance and length. Some odd dirty tastes, but with good length and quite complex.
94p, One hour: 93p
–
16/10/2004: Romanée Conti 1962, Crescent House restaurant, Tokyo
Bottle #2 (3.5cm)
Colour: rose, Nose: superb exceptional fruit, Palate: round superb, a lot of taste, but not as complex as bottle number #1, but soft pleasant with hints of licorice on the finish
93p, One hour: 95p
–
16/10/2004: Romanée Conti 1962, Crescent House restaurant, Tokyo
Bottle #1 (3cm)
Colour: quite rosé, Nose: complex, powerful and jammy, Palate: soft, a little bit of cork, but which mixes well into the fruit, nice balance and length, not completely clean, but very complex and very nice length
94p
One hour: red, quite dark in colour, Palate: concentrated and very nice balance: 93p
–
16/10/2004: Romanée Conti 1962, Crescent House restaurant, Tokyo
Bottle #2 (3.5cm)
Colour: rosé, Nose: superb, exceptional fruit, Palate: round, superb, fragrant, but not as complex on the palate as the nose, quite fluid and easy drinking, licorice
93p
One hour: very beautiful, a bit meaty, but very seductive: 95p
Depot: Nose: vanilla, very nice balance
–
8/10/2001: Romanée Conti 1962, Restaurant l’Osier, Tokyo
Bottle # 6226 (Provenance direct from DRC in 1989)
Colour: brownish, Nose: quite a lot of wood, fresh, volatile and seductive, Palate: soft, fine, nice acidity, a bit rough for a Romanée Conti, but excellent, nice balance
91p (when tasting the depot still 91p)
One hour: body, licorice and nice length
–
8/10/2001: Romanée Conti 1962, Restaurant l’Osier, Tokyo
Bottle #6225 (Provenance direct from DRC in 1989)
Colour: already brown, Nose: apple and volatile, Palate: soft fruit, declining, a bit woody, quite magic, tannins and acidity in the finish, enigmatic but very good
88p
One hour: the tannins start to dominate (when tasting the depot after one hour: 89p)
–
8/10/2001: Romanée Conti 1962, Restaurant l’Osier, Tokyo
Bottle #6221 (Provenance direct from DRC in 1989)
Colour: already brownish colour, Nose: nice and old, volatile, but nice fruit, Palate: round in the beginning, then a bit of alcohol and seems diluted, but with surprisingly little tannins, this having been said still a magical and spicy wine but with little concentration and you don’t feel the tannins behind, slightly disappointing
One hour: odd wine, the alcohol with little tannins
85p
–
8/10/2001: Romanée Conti 1962, Restaurant l’Osier, Tokyo
Bottle #6240 (Provenance direct from DRC in 1989)
Colour: already brown, Nose: spices but the fruit seems a bit tired, Palate: soft, not bad, more body than the other bottles, but not as fragrant
One hour: chemical nose, odd, dry, not very good: 84p?
–
8/10/2001: Romanée Conti 1962, Restaurant l’Osier, Tokyo
Bottle #6230 (Provenance direct from DRC in 1989)
Colour: already brown, Palate: soft, woody, prunes, a bit rough, alcohol, excellent but not magical because too much alcohol. More body than the other four bottles, but not the extra complexity that you would expect given its provenance.
90p
Half an hour: 87p
–
30/11/1991: Romanée Conti 1962, Auberge Ichi Riki, Kyoto
Colour: Super bred brick, quite dark, Nose: Superb concentrated and complex nose with nice balance, Palate: superb, soft, slightly volatile, round, licorice, heavy on the tongue, a bit smoky, concentrated and fat
93p
One and half hour: keeps up well, fat, round, jammy and a bit volatile
Two hours: 93p
–
17/10/1989: Romanée Conti 1963 (Magnum), Plaza Athénée, Paris
Colour: nice, dark red colour, Nose: oxidised chocolate, Palate: drinkable but oxidised but you can feel it was a great wine, has been reconditioned recently.
80p
–
24/6/1989: Romanée Conti 1963, Private tasting in Paris
Colour: red brick, slightly cloudy, Nose: ripe, a bit rough and slightly volatile, Palate: burns a little bit, Pinot Noir, quite long, full-ish, chewy and fruity, but not balanced in the beginning
90p
After half an hour; looses a bit of its fruit, a bit burning, more balance: 88p
–
16/10/2004: Romanée Conti 1964, Crescent House restaurant, Tokyo
Bottle #1 (0.5cm)
Colour: rosé, Nose: not as intense as the 1966, seems to be on the decline, Palate: soft, easy-going, light and soft fruit, some tannins, a little bit dry but pleasant, very elegant, but not the concentration and the vivacity of the 1966
92p, One hour: 93p
–
16/10/2004: Romanée Conti 1964, Crescent House restaurant, Tokyo
Bottle #2 (0.5cm)
Colour: rosé, Nose: a little bit of alcohol and red fruit, Palate: soft and fine, more harmonious than number #1, but less fruit and concentration, clearly on its way down, but gracious and great class
92p, One hour: 93p
–
24/10/2009: Romanée Conti 1964, Okura Hotel, Tokyo
Bottle # 21777 (0.5cm, re-corked in 1989) (Provenance direct from DRC in 1989)
Nose: Superb nose, Palate: round on the palate, refined, nice lace structure, but fruit not showing yet
98p
One hour: nose shows a bit of alcohol, lost a bit since the opening of the bottle: 94p
Two hours: balanced, but has to be drunk now.
Three hours: very nice nose, superb on the palate, tannins still present in a delicious way: 94p
–
24/10/2009: Romanée Conti 1964, Okura Hotel, Tokyo
Bottle # 21776 (0.8cm, re-corked in 1989) (Provenance direct from DRC 1989)
Nose: Superb nose, very fragrant, more open, lovely.
94p
–
30/11/1991: Romanée Conti 1964, Auberge Ichi Riki, Kyoto
Colour: superb red, very little brick at the edges, Nose: refined, fruity a bit spicy, jam and a bit volatile, Palate: refined, ripe fruit quite light but superb and a bit volatile
93p
One hour: slowly declining, acidity comes through, great wine but acidic: 90p
Two hours: 88p
–
17/10/1989: Romanée Conti 1964, Plaza Athénée, Paris
Palate: old, a little bit of acidity, not very balanced, great wine but declining.
87p
–
24/10/2009: Romanée Conti 1966, Okura Hotel, Tokyo
Bottle guarantee # 21775 (1cm, re-corked in 1989) (Provenance direct from DRC 1989)
NB : This bottle was decanted according to Madame Bize-Leroy’s principle called “mise à l’épaule”, by pouring a third of the bottle into a glass and then re-filling the bottle after fifteen minutes.
Colour: Very light brick colour, Palate: On the palate, very fine, nice tannins, beautiful acidity and finish.
93+
One hour: Superb, the airing was beneficial, excellent fruit, but the finish was a bit dry. Nose excellent, slightly jammy. On the palate, a very nice balance and a superb finish. Not yet at its best: 95p96
Two hours: starts to dry out: 92p
–
24/10/2009: Romanée Conti 1966, Okura Hotel, Tokyo
Bottle guarantee # 21763 (1cm, re-corked in 1989) (Provenance direct from DRC 1989)
Closed, nice acidity. Wait.
94+
–
16/10/2004, Romanée Conti 1966, Crescent House restaurant, Tokyo
Bottle #1 (2.2cm)
Colour: light rosé, Nose: old spices, old cork and leather, jammy, raspberry, Palate: good balance with lovely fruit and tannins, mingling together
Not that concentrated, only refinement, old wine, old leaves and finishing surprisingly with ripe fruit
–
16/10/2004, Romanée Conti 1966, Crescent House restaurant, Tokyo
Bottle #2 (2cm)
Palate: superb balance, round with a lot of concentration, impressive, has lost the dryness it had 5 years ago.
Slightly resembles the 1991 with soft tannins, will easily keep another 10-15 years.
94p
–
19/4/1996, Romanée Conti 1966, Restaurant Vincent, Tokyo, (Mr & Mrs Uhemura tasting)
Colour: red, light orange, Nose: complex, jammy, massive but closed, Palate: powerful, nice quite dense fruit, good tannins, but not young.
91p
Half an hour: concentrated, slightly rough, but then ten minutes later it softens up, quite balanced and concentrated, refined and quite long, not fat but superb: 95p
–
16/4/1996, Romanée Conti 1966, Table de Comma, Tokyo
Bottle #1
Nose: alcohol, licorice, over ripe red fruits, Palate: fat, powerful, intense, quite a lot of tannins on the finish, very long and tannic
90p
After two hours: complex great wine after all: 91p
After three hours: powerful, but acid and tannic, not very balanced
–
16/4/1996: Romanée Conti 1966, Table de Comma, Tokyo
Bottle #2
Colour: red, clear orange, Nose: fragrant, strawberry jam, a bit volatile, Palate: soft, fat, balanced, round and powerful, very different from bottle number 1, much more open
91p
One hour: 89p
Two hours: fragrant, acid but refined, young and vigorous, even a little bit too much, not completely balanced but ad a lot of grace. Difficult to downgrade this wine because it is after all a great bottle (has the “sommelier mixed up my glasses?): 92p
–
16/4/1996, Romanée Conti 1966, Table de Comma, Tokyo
Bottle #3
Nose: subtle and volatile, jammy, red fruits, Palate: soft a bit of alcohol, quite developed compared to the others, has almost past its peak, dries out a bit but more balanced than #1. Great, but quite volatile and soft.
90p
Two hours: soft, declining, very disappointing: 88p
–
19/10/2000: Romanée Conti 1967, Restaurant Taillevent, Paris
Bottle #1 (3.5cm)
Colour: very light rosé, Palate: soft, old, very nice, fresh, nice fruit, very refined and has the length you would expect from this soil
92p
–
19/10/2000: Romanée Conti 1967, Restaurant Taillevent, Paris
Bottle #2 (3cm)
Colour: very light rosé, Palate: old and magnificent, but the finish is a bit disappointing however a superb wine, an incredible feeling of the soil.
93p
–
7/5/2007: Romanée Conti 1971, Hans + Anders Thustrup at Restaurant Mas d’Entremont, Aix en Provence
Colour: lovely red with brick coloured edges, Nose: subtle, ripe fruit, Palate: elegant, refined, a lot of class, but a bit disappointing as it lacks a little bit of the roundness and complexity that one would expect, but still a magnificent wine.
93p
–
19/11/2004: Romanée Conti 1971 (Magnum), Restaurant Lucas Carton, Paris
(Provenance direct from DRC)
Palate: smoky, graceful, some alcohol, but the unsettled sediment floating in the wine makes it a bit tough and tannic, not as round and balanced as it normally would be, but the wine is powerful, you can feel the alcohol, intense but not the refinement that I would expect in a Romanée Conti. Difficult to say, but it seems we would have to wait another 20 years to soften this wine, but it could also be that the tannins floating in the wine misleads the palate into thinking that it’s younger than it really is!
92p
–
25/3/2004: Romanée Conti 1975, Domaine Romanée Conti with Vins Rares team
Colour: red very light and rosé, Nose: superb and complex, Palate: superb finesse, elegant, unbelievably exotic, complex, fruit like a lace veil over a woman’s face.
98p
–
21/3/2000: Romanée Conti 1975, Domaine Romanée Conti with S.Allègre and F. Siewertz
Colour: rosé, Nose: superb nose, Palate: soft, refined, alot of class, very complex, licorice, very long and fragrant finish
98p
–
24/4/1997: Romanée Conti 1975, Domaine Romanée Conti with Aubert De Villaine
Colour: rosé, ripe fruit, round but not concentrated, pleasant, Palate: round, pleasant, a bit of fruit, not a lot of body, but easy to drink and quite long and nice finish, a lot of pleasure, hints of coffee. Drink now!
93p
Half an hour: 95p
–
9/10/1996: Romanée Conti 1975, Vin sur Vin, Tokyo
Bottle #1
Colour: very light red/orange colour, Nose: superb bred spicy fruits, the best nose of the 5 tasted today, Palate: powerful fragrance, gracious, totally refined and very complex, still a very feminine character and a surprising amount of tannins, very little body.
92p
One hour: declines quickly: 84p
–
9/10/1996: Romanée Conti 1975, Vin sur Vin, Tokyo
Bottle #2
Nose: cinammon, more subtle, less agressive and complex, dominance of lily petals, Palate: less fragrance and more acidity, seems younger than the others.
92p
Half an hour: soft, spicy and tannic, but superb: 92p
–
9/10/1996: Romanée Conti 1975, Vin sur Vin, Tokyo
Bottle #3
Nose: quite powerful lily fragrance, Palate: soft, quite open, nice acidity, fragrant, still young with a lot of tannins
92p
Half an hour: a bit rough: 92p
Three quarters of a hour: very good in the mouth, soft and spicy with some body
–
9/10/1996: Romanée Conti 1975, Vin sur Vin, Tokyo
Bottle #4
Nose: seductive Pinot Noir, very feminine, Palate: soft and seductive on entering the mouth, less complex than the others but long finish, slightly austere.
92p
Half an hour: less complex, smoother than the others: 83p
–
9/10/1996: Romanée Conti 1975, Vin sur Vin, Tokyo
Bottle #5
Nose: a bit green, white flowers, Palate: seductive, smooth with nice fruit but not a lot of body, rather a mineral wine.
92p
Half an hour: quite mouth filling with soft acidity, intense but somewhat bitter and rough at the same time, pleasant but you need to take a mouthful to get the whole picture.
–
17/10/1989: Romanée Conti 1975, Plaza Athénée, Paris
Colour: light orange, Nose: very subtle, Palate: refined, light, perfectly balanced, superb, charming and spicey, but very light
90p
–
25/9/2007: Romanée Conti 1976, Restaurant Laurent, Paris with Vins Rares team
Colour: light red brick orange, Nose: superb elegance of fruit and wood, Palate: classy, complex fruit, tobacco with some wood, balanced and complex, intense and exceptional minerality. A great experience, a bottle that has been perfectly stored in Laurent’s cellars since original purchase in 1979.
98p
–
11/10/2005: Romanée Conti 1976, Restaurant Kikunoi, Kyoto
Palate: dry at the opening, but fragrant
93p
Half an hour: 95p
One hour: 97p
Two hours: superb finesse, licorice with subtle fruit and good length. Subtle but a lot of fruit, round, long, spicy and dense.
–
24/10/2009: Romanée Conti 1978, Okura Hotel, Tokyo
Bottle # 21802 (2cm, Provenance direct from DRC 1989)
Nose: jammy fruit, complex and smoky. Palate: black concentrated fruit, nice balance, faintly bitter in the finish.
One hour : light red colour, but at the same time intensely dark.
Nose: Spectacular, jammy, alcohol superb. Palate: soft, alcohol, very complex, a bit meaty, fresh finish. Has become much better since I last tasted this wine ten years ago, the finish maybe a bit weak.
95p
–
24/10/2009: Romanée Conti 1978, Okura Hotel, Tokyo
Bottle # 21783 (2cm, Provenance direct from DRC 1989)
Nose: more reserved on the nose, Palate: very nice balance, classy and good length.
Round and refined.
One hour : 98p
Three hours : 93p
–
16/10/2004: Romanée Conti 1978, Crescent House restaurant, Tokyo
Bottle #1 (2.5cm)
Colour: rosé, Nose: impressive, open, seducing, a bit of alcohol, quite jammy, Palate: excellent entry into the mouth, fat, ripe, spicy, licorice, but then a bit empty and a disappointing finish
90p
–
16/10/2004: Romanée Conti 1978, Crescent House restaurant, Tokyo
Bottle #2 (3cm)
Colour: rosé, Nose: licorice, seductive, a bit woody, concentrated red fruits, Palate: soft and concentrated, beautiful concentration and length, clearly better than #1
93p
–
17/10/1989: Romanée Conti 1978, Plaza Athénée, Paris
Palate: soft and very graceful, but maybe a little bit too much alcohol, this having been said superb, concentrated, seductive, exceptional.
100p
–
7/10/1989: Romanée Conti 1978, Restaurant Bernard Morillon, Beaune
Palate: soft, fragrant, subtle, perfect balance, fantastic finish, can probably develop even more, but already exceptional. Perfect.
100p
–
30/11/1991: Romanée Conti 1979 (Magnum), Auberge Ichi Riki, Kyoto
Colour: dark brick colour, Nose: closed, Palate: jammy, concentrated, superb balance, tobacco.
96p
After one hour: over ripe fruits, slowly declining, but fantastic and concentrated
One and a half hours: Nose: superb ripe red and black fruit. Palate: still over ripe fruits, concentrated, extraordinary, decadent
Two hours: 93p
–
30/11/1991: Romanée Conti 1979, Jeraboam, Dinner at Auberge Ichi Riki, Kyoto
Nose : superb, fat, over ripe fruit, spicy and seductive, Palate: soft, ripe red and black fruit, superb balance, decadent and a very long finish.
98p
One hour: 94p
–
9/2/1991: Romanée Conti 1979, Epanoui Wine Club, Tokyo
Colour: dark brick colour, Nose: eucalyptus, Palate: superb balance, calm, fruity and spicy, raspberries, a bit dusty with a very long finish
96p
Two hours: 98p
–
17/10/89: Romanée Conti 1979, Plaza Athénée, Paris
Palate: superb richness and elegance, not up to the concentration of the 1978, but nevertheless superb.
100p
–
17/9/1988: Romanée Conti 1980, Château D’Isenbourg, Alsace, France
Palate: soft, excellent Pinot Noir character, complex, flows easily, fragrant and excellent long finish. A great wine, quite light, meaning not full-bodied with tannins, but refined, subtle and fragrant.
Half an hour: 90p
One hour: 93p
–
30/11/1991: Romanée Conti 1981 (Magnum), Auberge Ichi Riki, Kyoto
Colour: very dark brick colour, Nose: powerful, concentrated fruit, but not spicy, Palate: quite tannic, concentrated fruit, nice acidity, quite young at the opening.
90p
One and a half hour: concentrated but still acidic, a bit tough, should we wait a couple of years before drinking this? Should be tasted with food.
–
12/7/1990: Romanée Conti 1982, Cité Berryer, rue Royale, Paris
NB: Bottle opened 5th July 1990
Nose: oxidised which is normal after one week, Palate: a lot of concentration, quite surprising for a Romanée Conti 1982, but nevertheless excellent tannins, balance and length.
After 7 days: 90p
–
28/3/1990: Romanée Conti 1982, Vin sur Vin, Tokyo
Colour: superb, transparent, red brick colour, Nose: mineral, very subtle not quite ripe fruit (surprising for this vintage), Palate: supple, superb, refined, a bit restrained, very fine tannins, nice length and sophisticated. A superb wine, completely refined and a long finish but not very complex.
Half an hour: 93p
One hour: 96p
–
17/10/1989: Romanée Conti 1982, Plaza Athénée, Paris
Nose: spicy, superb, Palate: superb refinement but still young could develop and possibly gain some concentration (according to Madame Bize Le Roi)
90p
–
26/1/1989: Romanée Conti 1982, CE Bgorkegren, Stockholm
Colour: light brick, Nose: closed at the opening
Half an hour: Nose: starting to show nice fruit, raspberry and hints of wood, Palate: very refined, fruit in perfect balance: 93p
One hour: Palate: refined, subtle structure, great wine, pleasant and fine, but slightly unsettled by its trip (just been transported for this tasting)
–
17/10/1989: Romanée Conti 1983, Plaza Athénée, Paris
Colour: dark, Nose: game, Palate: superb old dead leaves, a very dry finish and slightly sweet like a Cheval Blanc 1959, a less typical DRC than the other wines but superb
95p
–
8/12/1987: Romanée Conti 1983, Lejontornet, Stockholm
Nose: volatile, Palate: volatile, refined, perfect balance, good length
P?
–
18/3/1985: Romanée Conti 1983, Drew Harré at Domaine Romanée Conti
Palate: concentrated and firm like La Tâche but more complex, closed but accessible, incredible fragrance
98p
–
17/10/1989: Romanée Conti 1984, Plaza Athénée, Paris
Colour: dark, Nose: green and spicy, Palate: soft, superb refinement, acidic, not very concentrated, but green and tough anyway, a younger version of the 1982
90p
17/10/1989: Romanée Conti 1985, Plaza Athénée, Paris
Nose: spicy and superb, a lot of strength, Palate: superb, young and acid, very long, spicy but soft tannins
Half and hour: 100p
One hour: 98p
Two hours: 93p
–
30/11/1991: Romanée Conti 1986, Auberge Ichi Riki, Kyoto
Colour: Red with hints of brick colour, Nose: superbly and spicy becoming more and more oaky, Palate: acidic, closed, quite tannic, oaky, fruit is a bit on the light side
88p
One hour: acidic, light, not great: 85p
Two hours: 80p
–
28/8/1991: Romanée Conti 1987, Restaurant Eventail, Kyoto
Palate: long and complex, too young, the wine is too warm to appreciate its qualities
87+p
–
24/4/1989: Romanée Conti 1988, Domaine de Romanée Conti (Barrel tasting)
Palate: refined, superb long finish, a lot of body, obviously very young but refined
98p
–
3/3/2005: Romanée Conti 1988, R. Belotti, Domaine Alex Atale, Sao Paolo
Nose: nice discreet Pinot Noir, young but pretty fragrance, Palate: refined a little more finesse than La Tâche 1989, but is as closed, very nice tannic structure with a beautiful acidity, all in refinement but not yet (far from) ready to drink, wait a minimum of ten years
92p (NB: In ten years probably 96p)
–
24/10/2009: Romanée Conti 1989, Okura Hotel, Tokyo
Bottle # 08877 (4cm)
Colour: Nice brick colour, Nose: beautiful jammy nose, Palate: on the palate, quite dense fruit with a dry finish
93p
One hour: Quite young, but at the same time a nose which has evolved quite a lot, dry finish
93p98
–
24/10/2009: Romanée Conti 1989, Okura Hotel, Tokyo
Bottle # 08879 (2cm)
Colour: Light, a deep red brick colour, Nose: Nose is more evolved than the previous bottle from 1989, Palate: on mid-palate, not as dense, but a nice finish
93p
–
9/4/1998: Romanée Conti 1989, Chez Vincent, Tokyo
NB: tasting done before wine being decanted
Colour: light red crimson with brick around the edges, Nose: superb ripe red fruit and spices, Palate: round, jammy, dense, nice acidity and length, a very nice and long finish, very good balance, very concentrated fruit, a lot of tannins hiding behind the fruit
93+p
After decantation:
Palate: soft, refined with a lot of fruit, but not overpowering, just right
95p
–
27/2/92: Romanée Conti 1990, Domaine de la Romanée Conti
Palate: refined cherry, 100% balanced, nice, long refined acidic finish, classy fruit, very refined
100p
–
11/6/1991: Romanée Conti 1990, Domaine de la Romanée Conti
Nose: oaky, Palate: refined balance, excellent fruit, nice length, great class, superb long finish
95+p
–
6/4/1998: Romanée Conti 1992, Restaurant Dew Drop Inn (Tsubaki), Tokyo
Colour: transparent dark red, Nose: concentrated Pinot Noir, Palate: concentrated and refined, superb, smooth, fine and sophisticated, very intense, nice to superb length, a little bit tannic and bitter in the end, superb.
95p (potentially 97p)
–
14/2/95: Romanée Conti 1993, Domaine de la Romanée Conti (Barrel tasting)
Palate: refined fruit, balanced, very long and graceful finish
98p
–
14/10/1998: Romanée Conti 1994 (Magnum), Vie Française at Macéo, Paris
Palate: refined hints of wood, long and pretty acidity in the finish, nice long finish
90+p
–
6/2/1996: Romanée Conti 1994, Domaine de la Romanée Conti
NB: Just before bottling
Nose: a bit of decaying red fruit , Palate: refined, fruity, dense, superb tannic structure, classy and long, but not that full bodied
93p (potentially 95p)
–
14/2/95: Romanée Conti 1994, Domaine de la Romanée Conti (Barrel tasting)
Colour: light red, Palate: very refined, a touch of oak, nice and light but persisting flavour of fruit, one can feel the exquisite soil
92+p?
–
14/9/1996: Romanée Conti 1995, Domaine de la Romanée Conti (Barrel tasting)
Palate: refined balance, great class, already drinkable, oak, completely refined
96+p
–
16/10/2004: Romanée Conti 1996, Crescent House restaurant, Tokyo
Bottle #1
Colour: red brick around the edges
Nose: spicy and young
Palate: complex, well defined spicy fruit, licorice, very long, young but a superb pleasure, Dusty tannins, finishing with beautiful fresh acidity
94p
–
16/10/2004: Romanée Conti 1996, Crescent House restaurant, Tokyo
Bottle #2
Colour: clear red, already orange, Nose: vanilla, subtle fruit and spices, Palate: ripe and subtle, finishes with quite prominent acidity, less complex and seductive than the #1, more wood and a little bit rougher on the finish
91+p , NB: A wine that should be tasted in 5-10 years
–
28/10/1998: Romanée Conti 1996, Domaine de la Romanée Conti
Nose: nice fragrance, Palate: refined, dense, complex and ripe, long with hints of licorice, superb and tightly knit
96p (potentially 100p)
–
28/4/1997: Romanée Conti 1996, Domaine de la Romanée Conti (Barrel tasting)
Palate: superb class, refined, great pleasure, very dense tannins, cocoa, long, extraordinary
95+p
–
28/10/1998: Romanée Conti 1997, Domaine de la Romanée Conti with Vins Rares team (Barrel tasting)
Palate: superb, round and refined, concentrated, very oaky, but this isn’t a problem, gets better in the finish
95+p
–
3/6/1998: Romanée Conti 1997, Domaine de la Romanée Conti (Barrel tasting)
Nose: nice, spicy fruit, Palate: surprisingly open and accessible, fragrant and smooth, very complex
96+p
–
21/3/2000: Romanée Conti 1998, Domaine de la Romanée Conti (Barrel tasting)
Palate: great refined structure, a bit smoky
96p
–
29/6/1999: Romanée Conti 1998, Domaine de la Romanée Conti (Barrel tasting)
NB: The malolactic fermentation has just finished
Palate: nice refined fruit, graceful, long and balanced fruit, quite impressive subtlety, marvellous and refined acidity in the finish
98p
–
25/11/2002: Romanée Conti 2000, Domaine de la Romanée Conti (Barrel tasting)
Barrel #1
Colour: light red colour, Nose: quite oaky, Palate: round, fine, superb structure, nice length, but the acidity in the finish isn’t completely balanced but quite magic anyway, a little bit sparkling, round, fat and refined, good finish with volume and finesse but it’s lacking “that” to be a true Romanée Conti
90+p?
–
25/11/2002: Romanée Conti 2000, Domaine de la Romanée Conti (Barrel tasting)
Barrel #2
Nose: over ripe fruit, Palate: round, balanced, dense and long, extraordinary soft tannins in the structure, very nice wine but still not the best RC I’ve tasted, however 100% balanced but you can’t feel Romanée Conti’s soil
95p
–
25/3/2004: Romanée Conti 2003, Domaine de la Romanée Conti (Barrel tasting)
NB: The malolactic fermentation has just finished
Nose: very subtle, you can hardly pick it up, Palate: dense, refined, hiding slightly, but the fruit is there and the finish is incredibly long, concentrated fruit, round and fine, you hardly feel the oak, a wine which is a complete mystery, everything is there but it seems that it doesn’t want to come through
95+p
–
3/11/2005: Romanée Conti 2004, Domaine de la Romanée Conti (Barrel tasting
Nose: vanilla, soft and complex, Palate: intense and fine, not showing completely, quite mineral, the finish is all refined, a lot of tannin stays on the teeth, superb refinement
94p
–
5/7/2006: Romanée Conti 2005, Domaine de la Romanée Conti (Barrel tasting)
Palate: refinement, perfect balance, dense fruit, soft, long, smooth, however young of course, but already seductive but slightly intellectual
100p
–
17/5/2006: Romanée Conti 2005, Domaine de la Romanée Conti (Barrel tasting)
Palate: magical, oak, refined, but beautiful concentration
95+p
–
26/11/2008, Romanée Conti 2007
Palate: round, fine, oak, almost oily, more opulent than normally at this stage, more fruit, easier to taste, but however less magical
90++p