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  • Country ranking ?

    59
  • Producer ranking ?

    8
  • Decanting time

    3h
  • When to drink

    now to 2035
  • Food Pairing

    Enjoy without food

The Tb points given to this wine are the world’s most valid and most up-to-date evaluation of the quality of the wine. Tastingbook points are formed by the Tastingbook algorithm which takes into account the wine ratings of the world's best-known professional wine critics, wine ratings by thousands of tastingbook’s professionals and users, the generally recognised vintage quality and reputation of the vineyard and winery. Wine needs at least five professional ratings to get the Tb score. Tastingbook.com is the world's largest wine information service which is an unbiased, non-commercial and free for everyone.

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97 points Wine Spectator

 Good color. Stunning, seductive bouquet delivers pungent sweet cherry, forest floor, truffle and Asian spices. It saturates the palate with flavors, shows great extract yet remains elegant, ending in a long, intense finish.--La Tâche non-blind vertical. Drink now through 2040. 

95 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

 The color is a murky plum with some lightening at the edge. The wine offers an exquisite nose of smoked meats, jammy black fruits, floral scents, minerals, and damp forest-like aromas, as well as that unmistakable DRC prune-like character that comes from over-ripe fruit. Full-bodied and fleshy, with a chewy mid-palate revealing exceptional opulence, this silky-textured, smooth wine possesses high alcohol and a viscous finish. 

95 points Vinous

 The 1978 La Tâche is laced with the essence of blood orange, herbs, mint and sweet spices, all of which give it an unmistakable sense of exoticism. As it usually is, the 1978 is a touch slender and fleeting, so it is best enjoyed sooner rather than later, before the fruit dries out too much further. This bottle is arrestingly beautiful. Scents of white truffle, blood orange and cherry reappear on the super-expressive finish.

 

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The Story

Well-cared for vines, strictly controlled yields and as late as possible harvest produces an aromatic and opulent wine. Deeply coloured, La Tâche develops a palate of extraordinary aromas of dark fruits, truffle and spices.

Rich and concentrated, its bouquet releases infinite tones that melt in the mouth to form a lovely ensemble – always exceptional, even in the difficult vintages. Hence in 1950 and 1951, it was the only wine in the domaine that was bottled.

Like many other Burgundy properties, the parcel La Tâche was originally connected to a monastery. It was then owned by two different families, one of which was the Joly de Bévy, who were dispossessed during the Revolution.

Later owned by the Basire and then the Liger-Belair families, the remaining part of La Tâche was purchased by the emblematic Domaine de La Romanée-Conti in 1933, joining the other mythical crus of Grands-Échézeaux, Échézeaux and Richebourg. From this vintage, La Tâche, solely
owned by one single domaine, became a ‘Cru Monopole’.

It is of course rare, producing 20,000 bottles per year, and is highly sought after by wine connoisseurs around the world, particularly in Asia.

La Tâche remains more accessible in price than the iconic cru of the domaine, DRC, yet it is also regarded as an icon with legendary status.

Buying a bottle of La Tâche, even in a lesser vintage, not only provides an extraordinary pleasure when opening the wine, but, if not opened, will give a certain guarantee of a comfortable appreciation in the medium term.

 

Romanée-Conti lies on brown limestone soils 60 cm deep with a major clay component. Romanée-Saint-Vivant has similar but deeper (90 cm) soils. Higher up, La Romanée occupies a markedly sloping site (12%) and the soil texture is less clayey. La Tâche and La Grande Rue share brown limestone soils, rather shallow at the top end with deeper rendzinas lower down. The same is true for the Richebourg, depending on slope and aspect. The underlying rock is hard Premeaux limestone dating from the Jurassic (175 million years BC).

Lying between Flagey-Échezeaux (home of the ÉCHEZEAUX appellation) and Nuits-Saint-Georges, Vosne-Romanée occupies a middle position in the Côte de Nuits. The vines grow at altitudes of 250 to 310 metres and face east or, in some cases, slightly south of east. Vosne-Romanée, the central jewel in the necklace of appellations which is the burgundian côte, is not content with holding a mere four aces but boasts a total of six Grands Crus, each one famous the world over. A thousand years ago, it was the Cluniac monks of Saint-Vivant de Vergy and the Cistercians of Cîteaux who first realised the value of these very special plots of land.

One of these vineyards takes its name from Prince Conti who lost his heart to it in 1760. Romanée-Conti is one of the wonders ofthe world and has always been a singly-held entity. Next door to it, Romanée-Saint-Vivant recalls the medieval monastery of the Hautes-Côtes which is currently undergoing restoration and which is linked to it by its own path. La Romanée, La Tâche and La Grande Rue are also singly-held entities, as is Richebourg, whose mere name is enough to fill a glass.

These Grands Crus frequently give good results from long laying-down. As a general rule, they shouldn't be drunk under about ten years of age but sometimes they will be aged up to 20 or 30 years. Each appellation has its own distinct personality depending on its year of production and on the stage it has reached in its development. These flamboyant red wines fully express the subtlety and complexity of the Burgundian Pinot Noir grape. Their colour is a dark ruby turning crimson with age. Their wide-ranging bouquet is divided among small red and black fruits, violet, spices and, with time, underbrush. On the palate, this wine is well-defined with a powerful body. It is delicate, sensual, frank and full.

In addition to their powerful structure and exceptional longevity, these great wines develop tertiary aromas of truffle, underbrush, leather and fur. It goes without saying that strong-flavoured meats will do them justice : furred or feathered game, braised, in sauce, or simply grilled. Wild-fowl (eg Peking duck) or a nice cut of roast veal will be gently enveloped by the close-packed but elegant tannins of these mighty Pinot Noir wines.

Serving temperatures : 15 to 16 °C.

 

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Wine Information

Domaine de la Romanée-Conti

Domaine de la Romanée-Conti is without question the most famous estate in Burgundy and arguably the greatest, producing some of the best wines in the world. It is probably one of the most traditional wineries in France. Wines are produced in small quantities while the demand is huge. The domaine has 25 hectares of vineyards, all Grand Crus, including the jewel in the crown, the 1.8 hectare monopole of Romanée Conti.
Romanée-Conti, a vineyard of four and a half acres,was originally the property of the Abbey of St. Vivant. In 1760 Prince Conti acquired it against the competition of a famous collector of jewellery, Madame de Pompadour – the king’s minister against the king’s mistress. He withdrew it from the market and reserved it for his own dazzling social events. It was he who created the myth surrounding Romanée-Conti.
The price of this tiny, treasured vineyard was 80.000 livres, which in those days was worth a small kingdom. Reclaimed as property of the nation during the Revolution, the vineyard passed through the hands of several proprietors to an ancestor of the present owner for 14.000 gold pounds in 1868.
In June 1940 began the journey of 16-year-old André Noblet from estate´s cellar caretaker to chief winemaker. The moment was not exactly favourable for the young man, as in July France was occupied by Germany. This single-minded and intelligent young man wanted to learn as quickly as he could all there was to know about the making of the estate´s wines, and Louis Clin did not spare his efforts, time or knowledge from this eager and gifted youth. As early as 1946 André vinified his first wines under Mr. Clin´s supervision. André Noblet finally took over the whole responsibility for the estate´s wines after the death of Louis Clin.
–We are the keeper of a certain philosophy of wine and, mainly, we are concerned by the perfection in details" assures Aubert de Villaine.
Aubert de Villaine became co-director of the domaine in 1974. His goal at the domaine is to bottle a wine that has had almost no manipulation, but is the result of perfectly balanced, healthy fruit. At the domaine everything is directed at producing great wines which are ideal for keeping. Biodynamics, used over the last ten years, has led to a change in direction under the new leadership of Henry Frédéric-Roch, one of the domaine's co-managers, together with Aubert de Villaine.


Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
1, Rue Derrière le Four
21700 Nuits-Saint-Georges
France

Tel. + 33 3 8062 4880
Fax + 33 3 8061 0572
↓↓

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Average Bottle Price

2021 2018 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2005 2000
7 100€ +34.0% 5 300€ +22.0% 4 345€ +14.6% 3 790€ +8.6% 3 489€ +2.0% 3 421€ -7.3% 3 689€ +1.2% 3 645€ +106.3% 1 767€ +80.3% 980€

This data comes from the FINE Auction Index, a composite of average prices for wines sold at commercial auctions in 20 countries. The average prices from each year have been collected since 1990. This chart plots the index value of the average price of the wines.

Tasting note

color

Medium, Ruby red and Pale

ending

Long, Lingering and Vibrant

flavors

Raspberry, Cherry, Cranberry, Licorice, Floral and Leather

nose

Intense, Fresh, Seductive and Complex

recommend

Yes

taste

Average in Acidity, Warming, Medium tannin, Well-structured, Concentrated, Good texture, Youthful, Medium-bodied, Refined, Firm, Focused, Medium-Dry and Drying tannins

Verdict

Impressive and Well-rounded

Written Notes

We got back to our usual programming, and the 1978 DRC La Tache delivered the same level of experience as the 1959.  Big Boy hailed it as ‘the real deal.’  Mint, menthol and spearmint punctuated its permeating nose.  It was rich and almost buttery with tasty caramel and brick flavors.  It had a long, long finish like a long, long time ago but still had plenty of legs left in it.  So complex, so much fruit, so much length and acidity in all the perfect places; this was true greatness (99).

  • 99p
A translucent, cherry red colour of medium-intesity. The surprisingly youthful nose is simultaneously fat and refined, retaining ripe red forest berries and floral notes. The youthful character is also found in the palate. The tannins are robust and acidity refreshing. The mouthfeel is still dominated by fruit. At its absolute prime drinking age right now, but will keep its balanced structure intact for another 10-15 years. Decanted 1.5 hours. Lasts 30 minutes in the glass.
  • 95p

Bright garnet red colour with brick red hue. The nose as an explicit "Wow"-effect, complex aroma reminiscent of white pepper, black olives, blackcurrants, hints of Hermès-leather, bacon and smoky touches. A wine which in the first moment displays rather a spiciness typical for the northern Rhône valley but shows all Burgundian virtues on the palate. Extraordinary length, silky tannins, elegant ripe fruit and discreet spiciness, a taste close to perfection. Wow again.

  • 100p

Three vintages of La Tache (1978, 1985, 1990) were tasted blind and I chose this one as my favorite. A perfect La Tache, a perfect bottle. It has everyone one would expect from a great bottle of La Tache - depth, complexity , ethereal yet persistent flavors with a haunting, lingering finish. Powerful and delicate with lovely spicy details at the same time. It is beautifully evolved and nuanced with layers and layers of exotic, attractive flavors that range from sweet dried flower petals to spices and herbs and dried fruits.

  • 100p

The color is a murky plum with some lightening at the edge. The wine offers an exquisite nose of smoked meats, jammy black fruits, floral scents, minerals, and damp forest-like aromas, as well as that unmistakable DRC prune-like character that comes from over-ripe fruit. Full-bodied and fleshy, with a chewy mid-palate revealing exceptional opulence, this silky-textured, smooth wine possesses high alcohol and a viscous finish.

  • 95p
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Information

Origin

Vosne-Romanée, Burgundy

Vintage Quality

Outstanding

Value For Money

Very good

Investment potential

Excellent

Fake factory

Serious

Other wines from this producer

Bâtard-Montrachet

Corton-Charlemagne

Corton Grand Cru

Echézeaux

Grands Echézeaux

La Romanée-Conti Grand Cru

Les Gaudichots

Marc

Montrachet

Richebourg

Romanée Conti

Romanee Saint Vivant

Vosne Romanée

Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Cuvée Duvault Blochet

Inside Information

Parker 95 p / PRODUCTION: 1,976 cases. This is a justifiably fabled vintage of La Tache, but owners of it should not push their luck. The 1978 has been fully mature for over five years. The color is a murky plum with some lightening at the edge. The wine offers an exquisite nose of smoked meats, jammy black fruits, floral scents, minerals, and damp forest-like aromas, as well as that unmistakable DRC prune-like character that comes from over-ripe fruit. Full-bodied and fleshy, with a chewy mid-palate revealing exceptional opulence, this silky-textured, smooth wine possesses high alcohol and a viscous finish. Drink it over the next 5-6 years. In magnum, this wine might be perfect!

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