2003 | Domaine de la Romanee Conti | La Tache

The 2003 La Tache reveals aromas of milk chocolate, violets, roses, and dark cherries. Suave, displaying massive amplitude and a full-bodied, velvety-textured character, this behemoth’s flavor profile brings to mind chocolate-covered black cherries. Immensely powerful and noble, it offers an interminable finish that is packed with flawlessly ripe, sweet tannin.

Reviews:

• Falstaff: Very dark robe, violet reflections, subtle lightening of the edges. Fantastic fragrance, beguiling bouquet of dark cherries and candied violets, underlaid with wild berry confit. Very powerful on the palate, hints of nougat and cassis, nuances of ripe cherries, firm, well-integrated tannins, convincing length, great future potential.

• Burghound: Like the 2005, this really has not changed significantly though at 8 years of age, one can begin to see a subtle amount of aromatic development but I stress that it's subtle and overall, this remains quite primary aromatically speaking. The usual La Tâche aromatic fireworks are present as the highly perfumed, seductive, spicy and pungent floral notes make for an utterly brilliant nose. The broad-shouldered flavors remain somewhat understated and while there is superb concentration, the unexpected sense of reserve I noted in my original review is still here as there is even a certain coolness that is extremely rare for the 2003 vintage. Perhaps equally unexpected is that the '03 La Tâche is essentially a wine that marries finesse and purity with power because even though it is dense, it remains balanced and never heavy. To be sure, the effects of the vintage are noticeable as the finish is very ripe with notes of plum, mocha and coffee. Again, though this is only 8 years of age, nothing has changed to modify my view that this should be capable of lasting 50 years, indeed I have extended my initial drinking window somewhat. As with the 2005, this should ultimately be a great La Tâche though it's going to require plenty of patience until it gets there.

Producer Information

Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, or DRC as it is commonly known, is easily Burgundy's best-known and most collectible wine producer. Based in the Burgundy village of Vosne-Romanée, the domaine sells wines from eight different grand cru vineyards that span the length of the Côte d'Or. The most famous comes from the eponymous Romanée-Conti vineyard, and on average is the most expensive wine in the world. The domaine predominately produces Pinot Noir-based wines from 28 hectares (69 acres) of grand cru vineyard. Alongside Romanée-Conti are La Tâche, Romanée-Saint-Vivant and Richebourg in Vosne-Romanée; plus Échezeaux and Grands Échezeaux bottlings. Fruit from Corton-Bressandes, Corton Clos du Roi and Corton Renardes is combined in a single Corton Grand Cru red. There are three white (Chardonnay) wines made. Only one of these, the Montrachet is made widely avilable. A Bâtard-Montrachet and a Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Nuits are not publically distributed. Of course, La Romanée-Conti is the domaine's most famous asset, and the amount of wine made from less than 2ha (5 acres) of land amounts to just 6000 bottles a year. The vineyard has a long history, dating back to the Abbey of Saint-Vivant in the 13th Century. It took on the Romanée name in 1631, and the Conti in 1760.Today, DRC is owned in part by the de Villaine family and in part by the Leroy family. Aubert de Villaine is the figurehead of the company now – although it was famously run by Lalou Bize-Leroy for a time, until a dispute saw her ousted from control.

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