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Wine Description
The Story
“As if, in this square of earth, the gods had bequeathed us a memory of the fascinating vestige of a timeless perfection.” — Richard Olney. The wine of Prince de Conti, she is velvet, seduction and mystery. It is the most Proustian of all great wines.
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.
–We are the keeper of a certain philosophy of wine and, mainly, we are concerned by the perfection in details" assures Aubert de Villaine.
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.
Vintage 1900
The 1900 vintage in Burgundy stands as a historic chapter in the region's winemaking legacy.
Weather Conditions: The weather conditions in Burgundy during the 1900 growing season were significant factors in shaping the character of the vintage. The year began with a mild winter, followed by a warm and dry spring, which allowed for an early budbreak and flowering. However, summer brought challenges, as it was cooler and wetter than usual, leading to some issues with ripening.
Burgundy 1900 Reds: The red wines of Burgundy from the 1900 vintage are legendary for their exceptional aging potential and complexity. These wines have achieved iconic status among collectors and connoisseurs.
Appearance: The 1900 Burgundy reds typically exhibit a deep garnet color with brick-red or amber hints, reflecting their considerable age.
Nose: On the nose, the 1900 Burgundy reds offer a beguiling bouquet of dried red fruits, forest floor, hints of earthiness, and subtle spice notes. The aromatic profile is a testament to the remarkable complexity of these wines.
Palate: In the mouth, the 1900 Burgundy reds are marked by their depth, concentration, and silky texture. The tannins, having aged gracefully, contribute to the wines' velvety mouthfeel. Surprisingly, the wines maintain a refreshing acidity, which is essential for their longevity. Flavors of dried cherries, blackcurrants, and nuances of truffle and spice intertwine harmoniously, creating a profound and enduring finish.
Overall Impressions: The Burgundy 1900 vintage is celebrated as one of the region's greatest years, producing wines of extraordinary quality and longevity. These wines have aged gracefully and continue to captivate wine enthusiasts with their complexity and character. They are a testament to the enduring excellence of Burgundy's Pinot Noir.
For collectors and connoisseurs, the 1900 Burgundy wines represent a pinnacle of excellence in the world of fine wine. While finding bottles from this vintage today can be a challenge due to their rarity and age, those fortunate enough to experience them are rewarded with a profound connection to Burgundy's rich winemaking heritage and the timeless quality that Burgundy wines can achieve.
