Domaine de la Romanee conti 2018 Tasting and Dinner

Began with a tasting of all 8 of the 2018 wines. Then we moved to a 5 course meal masterfully prepared by Chef Eric Ripert.

• 2018 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Corton Domaine Prince Florent de Merode 93 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton Grand Cru

  (4/29/2021)

  Strong tannins. Good alcohol. Bright with a bit of tart (almost like salt). Cherry core. A bit 1-dimensional (due to the front-and-center fruit) but very enjoyable.
  
  I would bring this to a big cab dinner as a good alternative; a more velvet hammer if you will.
  
  Some people have asked for ratings of the 2018s. Here are my thoughts (today / potential).
  Corton (93 / 94-95)
  Ech (92 / 94)
  GE (94 / 95)
  RSV (93 / 94)
  Rich (97 / 97)
  La Tache (95 / 98)
  Romanee Conti (?? / 99?)
  Montrachet (93 / ??)

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• 2018 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Echezeaux 92 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Echezeaux Grand Cru

  (4/29/2021)

  Not very giving on the nose, somewhat tight on the palate. Light-to-medium weight with good structure. Some heat on the finish - feeling more of the alcohol on this one.
  
  Some people have asked for ratings of the 2018s. Here are my thoughts (today / potential).
  Corton (93 / 94-95)
  Ech (92 / 94)
  GE (94 / 95)
  RSV (93 / 94)
  Rich (97 / 97)
  La Tache (95 / 98)
  Romanee Conti (?? / 99?)
  Montrachet (93 / ??)

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• 2018 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Grands-Echezeaux 94 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Grands-Echezeaux Grand Cru

  (4/29/2021)

  The S class to the Echezeaux C Class (maybe this year the Ech is more E class?). More luxurious and robust but not out of balance. Good control throughout the wine. Not a ton of alcohol or tannins but it is there underneath. This wine lands a lot of material well.
  
  Some people have asked for ratings of the 2018s. Here are my thoughts (today / potential).
  Corton (93 / 94-95)
  Ech (92 / 94)
  GE (94 / 95)
  RSV (93 / 94)
  Rich (97 / 97)
  La Tache (95 / 98)
  Romanee Conti (?? / 99?)
  Montrachet (93 / ??)

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• 2018 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Richebourg 97 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Richebourg Grand Cru

  (4/29/2021)

  Next level from the first 4 (C, Ech, Gr Ech, RSV) and probably my favorite on the day of all 7. This is a gregarious wine. Explosive flavors, showing many levels of fruit and some spices which add to the dimensionality of the wine. While obviously shiny and new, it didn't feel immature. Great stuff.
  
  Some people have asked for ratings of the 2018s. Here are my thoughts (today / potential).
  Corton (93 / 94-95)
  Ech (92 / 94)
  GE (94 / 95)
  RSV (93 / 94)
  Rich (97 / 97)
  La Tache (95 / 98)
  Romanee Conti (?? / 99?)
  Montrachet (93 / ??)

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• 2018 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Romanée St. Vivant 93 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Romanée St. Vivant Grand Cru

  (4/29/2021)

  This is a different level of complexity from the Corton, Ech, and GE. The RSV floral character is there with a bit more structure and a little spice. I found the mix led to a two-staged flavor crescendo that was quite pleasing. The increased power of this wine does lead me to want to put it in a different weight class which, in a way, detracts from the classic elegance this was has come to settle into over the past 10 or so years.
  
  Some people have asked for ratings of the 2018s. Here are my thoughts (today / potential).
  Corton (93 / 94-95)
  Ech (92 / 94)
  GE (94 / 95)
  RSV (93 / 94)
  Rich (97 / 97)
  La Tache (95 / 98)
  Romanee Conti (?? / 99?)
  Montrachet (93 / ??)

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• 2018 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti La Tâche 95 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, La Tâche Grand Cru

  (4/29/2021)

  For many in the room, this was there favorite of 2018 lineup, while for me I think the Richebourg was better on the day, though the La Tache hints at future greatness. The wine is at a perfect pitch: not out of balance, the fruit (while it will need time to integrate) feels like it well woven, and the layers of flavor feel streamlined. Great texture on the mouth: the power of the vintage does not interrupt the smoothness of the wine. Beautiful.
  
  Some people have asked for ratings of the 2018s. Here are my thoughts (today / potential).
  Corton (93 / 94-95)
  Ech (92 / 94)
  GE (94 / 95)
  RSV (93 / 94)
  Rich (97 / 97)
  La Tache (95 / 98)
  Romanee Conti (?? / 99?)
  Montrachet (93 / ??)

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• 2018 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Romanée-Conti 99 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Romanée-Conti Grand Cru

  (4/29/2021)

  In a word, I found this wine mystical. It left me pondering much longer than any of the other wines in the lineup; a spell of time only matched by the length of the finish.
  
  On the nose, I found it almost savory. It was like a bit of salted butter on top of a warm brioche. Unexpected. The flavors and texture were just sublime with a bit of everything floral and spice supported by nice tannins. A joyful and contemplative experience.
  
  Some people have asked for ratings of the 2018s. Here are my thoughts (today / potential).
  Corton (93 / 94-95)
  Ech (92 / 94)
  GE (94 / 95)
  RSV (93 / 94)
  Rich (97 / 97)
  La Tache (95 / 98)
  Romanee Conti (?? / 99?)
  Montrachet (93 / ??)

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• 2018 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Montrachet 93 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Montrachet Grand Cru

  (4/29/2021)

  The first thing that came to mind when I tasted this wine was Riesling: it has glycerin sensibility that is the hallmark of dry Rieslings without the heavy bout of acidity. This was as lot of fun and showed the rich opulence Montrachet is known for with an unexpected flavor profile. Fun.
  
  Some people have asked for ratings of the 2018s. Here are my thoughts (today / potential).
  Corton (93 / 94-95)
  Ech (92 / 94)
  GE (94 / 95)
  RSV (93 / 94)
  Rich (97 / 97)
  La Tache (95 / 98)
  Romanee Conti (?? / 99?)
  Montrachet (93 / ??)

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• 1997 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Montrachet 98 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Montrachet Grand Cru

  (4/29/2021)

  En Jeroboam (no more Jeros made after 2008)
  
  The best Montrachet I've had from the Domaine. The bit of flint on the nose and on the front of the palate gave the wine the sense of a seared edged croissant: all of the goodness of the char with all of the richness immediately following. Incredibly delicious. So glad I had two glasses!

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• 2011 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Montrachet 94 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Montrachet Grand Cru

  (4/29/2021)

  This was the back-up to the 97 Jero so it had extremely stiff competition.
  
  On its own, this is a great wine. Developing nicely 10 years in. Feels like it is in a bit of a transition where the richer flavors are giving way now to some of the undertones of the wood. Will be good to try again in 10 years.

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• 2011 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Echezeaux 92 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Echezeaux Grand Cru

  (4/29/2021)

  In all, I found it a bit pedestrian for DRC. Generally nice aromatics, good balance, obviously well made. There was no lack of joy in this glass but I didn't find it as expressive as some of the wines next to it. That said, I enjoyed it much more than almost every other 2011 red burg I've had. It was not weak at all and its whole cluster character gave it substance that I found pleasing.
  
  A little unfair to rate this among so many other incredible wines from the Domaine, but, in a way, this is the best type of comparison to truly size the character of the wine.

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• 2009 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Romanée St. Vivant 94 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Romanée St. Vivant Grand Cru

  (4/29/2021)

  A lovely bite. The aromatics I've come to expect. A little green on the edges but very enjoyable. Sitting next to the 2011 Ech, this wine fluttered a bit more in the mouth, dancing on top of the tongue rather than penetrating the palate.

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• 1990 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Richebourg 99 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Richebourg Grand Cru

  (4/29/2021)

  Incredible. The flavors were mature and inviting. The spices give the wine a dimensionality and pop that was unrivaled on the night. All of this great flavor did not detract from the texture or length. WOTN (among a ton of great contenders)

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• 1999 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Grands-Echezeaux 94 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Grands-Echezeaux Grand Cru

  (4/29/2021)

  Not much to add relative to other reviewers notes. This is really bright with yummy fruit jumping from the glass. Following two more acidic, floral wines like the 2011 Ech and the 2009 RSV, this was an inviting elevation in boldness. Next to the 90 Rich, it was outclassed but, in 20-30 years or so, I could imagine this wine doing very very well again the best of them.

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• 2000 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti La Tâche 97 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, La Tâche Grand Cru

  (4/29/2021)

  I know this isn't a vaunted vintage, but this was not only great on the night but it outshined the 2001. Tonight, the vosne spices, the acidity, and the fruit core combined for the most complete wine on the evening. If what came out of the bottle tonight is any indication of what other bottles can deliver, I would seriously consider over 1999, 2001, or 2002.

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• 2001 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti La Tâche 95 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, La Tâche Grand Cru

  (4/29/2021)

  Classic La Tache flavors with a good combination of grace and power. That said, on the night, the 2000 was better (which is a bit of a shock). In comparison, some of what was missing from the 2001 comes into focus, specifically the various notes which needed to come together in perfect harmony were just a slight bit off. This might be just bottle variation, but at the level this wine wants to play it was outdone by its 2000 brother.

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• 1996 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Romanée-Conti 98 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Romanée-Conti Grand Cru

  (4/29/2021)

  In a way, I don't know how to rate this wine. For me, RC is usually subtle and contemplative. Our host, when discussing the food pairing, confessed his struggles ever pairing this wine appropriately and I think there is something to that. So, unlike all the other wines I tasted along side this one, I am not doing a relative comparison.
  
  This wine is beautiful and long. It carries a lot with ease and leaves you beguiled. I know 96 is a worrisome vintage, but I think this wine is wonderfully expressive and inviting. It does not have any of the reticent character often associated with 96.

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