My First DRC and Many Other Treats
Mirabelle, Austin, TX
Tasted Friday, July 17, 2009 by Cheryl with 973 views
Introduction
This was an outstanding evening. Many thanks to Tom for his generosity and for the time that he put into planning this event. And, it was a pleasure to meet the Austin crew as well. I had not had DRC before last night and some of my general takeaways were the obvious, that these are gorgeous wines, but some surprise that they didn't demonstrate the earthy, soil, dirt notes that I often find in French burgs and dislike. I don't know if that is a statement on quality or youth, (I suspect youth) but found the lack of those notes made these wine exceedingly enjoyable. I found that all the DRCs were linked by similar spices (cinnamon, cloves) and red fruit with more heft and sweetness than I ordinarily find in French wines. An extremely memorable experience.
The Champagnes were fun with the 1971 being the most interesting and tasty of the three. The CC was tasty but I enjoyed the Niellon more and am awaiting flames on the Montrachet. The DRCs were fantastic with my preference being split between the RSV and the Richebourg. Outstanding evening.
1995 Moët & Chandon Champagne Cuvée Dom Pérignon
France, Champagne
Good acidity with loads of lemon. It was fresh but not special. Someone questioned if it was off, but this was not a universal opinion. I am having this again week after next and hope to experience something more. OK-
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1996 Philipponnat Champagne Brut Clos des Goisses
France, Champagne
Sweet caramel on the nose and pepper (like arugula?) on the palate, which is something I haven't gotten in champagne before. I liked this. OK
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1971 Taittinger Champagne Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut
France, Champagne
This was the best of the three. Dark golden color with a tiny hint of salmon in the color. A nose with heavy sherry and cognac notes and nuttiness, too. An oily mouthfeel that was very pretty. Some orange notes to this as well. Very nice. OK+
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1973 Louis Latour Corton-Charlemagne
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru
I was happy to finally open this. It was my first auction purchase and it was burning a hole in my pocket, so to speak! I got smoked something on the nose (salmon, perhaps?) and creamy fruit on the palate. The best part of this wine was its oily, excellent mouthfeel. It was pretty. OK+
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1996 Domaine Michel Niellon Bâtard-Montrachet
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru
I got a sweet nose, like cotton candy, on this. A big, balanced white wine. I had more once it had been in the glass about an hour and it became gorgeous. Nice.
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2006 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Montrachet
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Montrachet Grand Cru
At first I didn't get much on the nose of this wine but it opened up with time in the glass and I smelled youthful, oaky chardonnay and not much more. I thought the finish was a bit hot, too. The mouthfeel was my favorite part of this wine - it was oily and really coated the inside of my mouth. I'm sure with time blah blah blah, but today? No.
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2006 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Cuvée Duvault-Blochet
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru
Heavy tannins but good. Some green notes too with loads of dark fruit. The oak was more obvious here than in the other two in this flight, but I liked it. Nice.
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2006 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Grands-Echezeaux
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Grands-Echezeaux Grand Cru
Wow. Talk about a lot of sour cherry. Loads of red fruits here and I wish there were more dark fruits here to give this some sweetness and keep the myriad spices (cinnamon, clove) in check. Lots of tannin and set my teeth on edge. OK-
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2006 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Richebourg
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Richebourg Grand Cru
This wine was lovely. Medium to big tannins. Cola and spice. It screamed California to me and reminded me of a recent Radio Coteau as well. Dark fruits and in better balance than some of the other young DRCs on this evening. My favorite of this flight. Nice.
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2006 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti La Tâche
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, La Tâche Grand Cru
The nose was really muted for me. I didn't get much of anything. Loads of acid in this wine. I wish I'd saved some to come back to.
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2006 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Echezeaux
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Echezeaux Grand Cru
This was the only one of the 2006's that displayed the funky, earthy French nose that I don't care for. The palate, however, had none of that. Not as complex as the others but still showing some red fruit and the tannins were more in check here. This was a particularly easy drinker. OK.
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2006 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Romanée-Conti
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Romanée-Conti Grand Cru
This wine was fairly subtle on the nose, but spicy (corriander and allspice) and slightly astringent on the palate with an exceptionally long finish. OK.
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2001 Domaine Leroy Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Beaux Monts
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru
So, I started experiencing palate fatigue and didn't give this a fair shot. I picked up some acetone on the nose with dark fruits on the palate. Would like to have this again to really experience it. OK
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2001 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Romanée St. Vivant
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Romanée St. Vivant Grand Cru
Same as the Beaux Monts, my taster was burnt out by this point. I recall some gamey notes, but that's about it. OK.
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2000 Zind-Humbrecht Tokay Pinot Gris Clos Jebsal Sélection de Grains Nobles
France, Alsace
From 750ml. Beautiful. I had the 96 once before and believe it had a bit more acidity, but this 2000 was just as lovely showing honey, sweet apricots and ripe peaches. Great length. Nice.
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