Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, France
Over the years, I have been very fortunate to experience a few unicorns and I guess it’s time to add one to the list. “La Romanée” is the smallest Grand Cru appellation in all of Burgundy. At just a hair over 2 acres, production from this vineyard totals roughly 300 cases per year. In contrast, DRC’s production of the directly adjacent Romanée-Conti is nearly twice that number. La Romanée is actually a Monopole of Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair but production was the responsibility of Bouchard Père & Fils for nearly 30 years. That is, until the 2006 vintage. Since then, Louis-Michel Liger-Belair has shifted that responsibility back to the Domaine.
Opened and poured into a decanter about 30min prior to service. The 1999 “La Romanée” pours a slightly deep ruby with a transparent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing, intensely sanguine, and beginning to show some signs of secondary characteristics: black cherry, bruised strawberry, roasted meat, mushrooms, and fine spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is long and has a slightly ferrous quality, again giving off those sanguine vibes. This is phenomenal, old school GC Burgundy. What a truly special treat. Drink now with patience and through 2049+.
Over the years, I have been very fortunate to experience a few unicorns and I guess it’s time to add one to the list. “La Romanée” is the smallest Grand Cru appellation in all of Burgundy. At just a hair over 2 acres, production from this vineyard totals roughly 300 cases per year. In contrast, DRC’s production of the directly adjacent Romanée-Conti is nearly twice that number. La Romanée is actually a Monopole of Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair but production was the responsibility of Bouchard Père & Fils for nearly 30 years. That is, until the 2006 vintage. Since then, Louis-Michel Liger-Belair has shifted that responsibility back to the Domaine.
Opened and poured into a decanter about 30min prior to service. The 1999 “La Romanée” pours a slightly deep ruby with a transparent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing, intensely sanguine, and beginning to show some signs of secondary characteristics: black cherry, bruised strawberry, roasted meat, mushrooms, and fine spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is long and has a slightly ferrous quality, again giving off those sanguine vibes. This is phenomenal, old school GC Burgundy. What a truly special treat. Drink now with patience and through 2049+.
this 0.84ha slice is the immediate uphill neighbour of romanée conti.
medium intense nose of cherry, raspberry, chocolate, cherry liqueur, wood, traces of tea.
drinking it even makes more sense - high end tannins, minerality, ever long finish...
besides that firm and still youthful structure i'm missing some tension and playful charme...
may i add stephen tanzers review from 2002 here:
"Full deep red. Subtle, aromatically compelling nose of bitter cherry, raspberry, minerals and licorice, along with a distinct aspect of menthol austerity. Tightly wound, cool and backward, with the wine powerful minerality and structure currently dominating. But this uncompromisingly dry grand cru already offers compelling inner-mouth perfume and terrific persistence. A very classy wine with pronounced soil character. (94+ points)"
this 0.84ha slice is the immediate uphill neighbour of romanée conti.
medium intense nose of cherry, raspberry, chocolate, cherry liqueur, wood, traces of tea.
drinking it even makes more sense - high end tannins, minerality, ever long finish...
besides that firm and still youthful structure i'm missing some tension and playful charme...
may i add stephen tanzers review from 2002 here:
"Full deep red. Subtle, aromatically compelling nose of bitter cherry, raspberry, minerals and licorice, along with a distinct aspect of menthol austerity. Tightly wound, cool and backward, with the wine powerful minerality and structure currently dominating. But this uncompromisingly dry grand cru already offers compelling inner-mouth perfume and terrific persistence. A very classy wine with pronounced soil character. (94+ points)"
Brooding, much power in reserve.
Brooding, much power in reserve.
Nov 4th, 2014
This is a fat healthy baby. Great DNA but not nearly mature. Great in 10 years plus
This is a fat healthy baby. Great DNA but not nearly mature. Great in 10 years plus
Nov 4th, 2014
Charles had this 8 years ago
Charles had this 8 years ago
Oct 27th, 2017Paul had this 12 years ago
Paul had this 12 years ago
Mar 14th, 2014
