Six iconic Burgundy wines

1. 2012 Romanee Conti Domaine De La Romanee Conti

Average Score: 99pts

Neal Martin (99 pts) - Usually, choosing between La Tache and Romanee-Conti is like choosing between your two favourite children. Not this year. The 2012 Romanee-Conti is one of the most spellbinding that I have tasted since I began 17 years ago. The bouquet is quite astonishing with brilliant delineation and focus, an almost disorientating sense of mineralite that soars from the glass and leaves you speechless. The palate is perfectly proportioned with a sensational line of acidity, brimming over with energy and frisson. This flirts with perfection and you know, one day it might actually achieve it. Just 350 cases produced. Feb 2015, www.robertparker.com

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2. 1986 Le Montrachet Domaine De La Romanee Conti

Average Score: 100 pts

Robert Parker (100pts) - Last Tasted 6/92 Dec 1992, www.robertparker.com

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3. 2008 Bonnes Mares Domaine D'Auvenay

Average Score: 97pts

David Schildknecht (97pts) - Smoky scents of Latakia tobacco and an alliance of fresh and distilled raspberry rise from the glass of Bize-Leroy’s Domaine d’Auvenay 2008 Mazis-Chambertin. The alternation of smoky and brightly-fruited (raspberry and red currant) elements on the palate has its counterpart in one of textural creaminess with almost electric vivacity. A clean sense of raw red meat and a scintillating floral dimension (violet and rose); hints of vanilla and brown spices from barrel; along with licorice and black pepper, all contribute to multi-layered and dynamic complexity in this remarkable Pinot whose finish seems to soar even as it lifts one’s spirits. The paradox of levity and density found in its sibling from Chambertin is perpetuated here, even if at a slightly lower energy level. There may be more opportunities for charm and seduction here – time alone can tell, and I would want to follow this (in my dreams I would follow it in reality) for at least the next 25 years. Jun 2010, www.robertparker.com

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4. 1996 Meursault Les Perrieres Domaine Coche-Dury

Average Score: 99pts

Pierre Rovani (99pts) - When the world's wine lovers speak of Jean-Francois Coche the words Corton-Charlemagne are sure to follow. Personally, I feel his Meursault Perrieres is just as extraordinary, and sometimes more so. This vineyard contributes an element of refinement and class to Coche's hedonistic, powerful, and intense style. The 1996 is breathtaking because tasting it is a levitating experience. Its beguiling, almost spiritual bouquet is composed of precisely defined minerals. The palate is greeted by explosive, powerful, awesomely elegant, intense, mouth-coatingly sweet and yet bone dry stones, gravel, crisp pears, and toasty oak. This unbelievably dense and complex, yet pure and perfectly defined wine is massively structured and has an unending finish that reveals cardamon, anise, honeysuckle blossoms, and spices. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2010+. Feb 1998, www.robertparker.com

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5. 1985 Richebourg Henri Jayer

Average Score: 96pts

Harvey Steiman (99pts) - Sensational concentration of fruit, incredibly long and opulent, echoing plum, cherry, strawbery, vanilla and spice. A profound wine.--Jayer vertical.  - winespectator.com

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6. 2005 Chambertin Armand Rousseau

Average Score: 98.5pts

Allen Meadows, Burghound (99pts) - I was frankly quite surprised to find the Chambertin almost as expressive and every bit as broad aromatically as the Bèze as the nose is equally kaleidoscopic if featuring a more deeply pitched set of fruit aromas and more earth. The flavors are bigger if not finer with serious power and weight on the rich, full and driving finish that possesses an exuberant underlying sense of energy, all wrapped in a core of rock solid but ripe and balanced tannins. Like the potential of the Bèze, this too has a chance to ascend as one of the top vintages ever typified by such years as '34, '49, '52, '62, '66 and '91. Arguably the Chambertin of the vintage. Allen Meadows, Burghound Jan 01 ,2008

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