Tasting Notes
Robert Parker 94-96
The 2014 Romanée-Conti Grand Cru is not a million miles away from the Richebourg in style, again with hints of damp earth and woodland, quite ethereal as it often is at this stage, becoming more “airy” as it opens in the glass. The palate is structured on the entry, a little fuller and broader than the La Tâche, almost less discrete (though that sounds too pejorative). The acidity drives this forward and there is great substance on the finish. It will be intriguing to see whether this Romanée-Conti will retain this chutzpah once in bottle.
Anticipated maturity: 2020-2050
Vinous 97
Deep, dark red Darker on the nose than La Tâche, exuding aromas of boysenberry, black raspberry, violet, brown spices and smoky minerality Like liquid velvet on the palate but with its purple and black fruit flavors energized by pungent, sappy minerality The rising, utterly bracing finish shows great breadth and extraordinary noble tannins This knockout is wonderfully full and thick yet somehow weightless owing to its outstanding mineral energy An amazing showing today, but this supremely elegant wine is just at the beginning of a 30+-year life in bottle Bertrand de Villaine noted that Romanée-Conti is typically a wine of aromas while La Tâche is more about the mouth, but not today
Anticipated maturity: 2030-2048
JancisRobinson.com 19
Light to mid garnet. Deeply fruited on the nose, with the promise of both fragrance and superb freshness. A definite herbal/stemmy character on the surface, then along with that an unexpected floral note and a hint of red cherry sweetness. Gloriously fine in texture, layer upon layer of finesse so that it changes back and forth in the glass and builds to complexity and incredible length. As I imagine graphene: immensely fine but with great internal strength. (JH)
Anticipated maturity: 2035-2050
