Buying options
Tasting notes
While I have heard and read that brilliant bottles of the '85 La Tâche exist, I have never experienced one and I have had this wine more than 25 times. So while I concede the possibility that such profound bottles do exist, I am frankly dubious. A highly complex nose offers lovely spice on the completely mature aromas with equally complex and fully resolved medium-bodied flavors that deliver a long, fine and pure finish. There is no benefit to holding the '85 further and even from magnum format (see herein), I would be inclined to begin looking for occasions to enjoy it. to be clear, it's not in decline but it is as good as it's ever going to be. Consistent notes. Allen Meadows, Burghound.com
Critic scores
Average Score
Allen Meadows, Burghound
Wine Spectator
More reviews and scores
Red to brown center, orange edge. Seductive fruit and spice bouquet, with fleeting notes of cherry, kirsch and rose. Warm and spicy on the palate, elegant yet sumptuous, showing fine length and harmony. This turns more acidic and fragile after about an hour in the glass.--La Tâche non-blind vertical. Drink now through 2012. Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator 2006
Tasted at the La Tache vertical at The Square. Having only encountered the La Tache 1985 once from magnum, I was intrigued to see how it shows from bottle. To be honest, this did not live up to the billing and as far as anyone could tell (including Aubert de Villaine) there was nothing wrong with it. First, it looks far more mature than the aforementioned magnum from 2011. There are plenty of dried herbs and surprisingly (for such a precocious vintage) plenty of leafy red berry fruit that just lack the presence of the 1991 or the precision of the 1980. The palate is medium-bodied with a smooth texture. It is nicely balanced, but I was not the only one to remark on a lack of depth here, almost a predictable finish that does not seem to go anywhere despite allowing it to open in my glass. As a Burgundy 1985 it is satisfactory, but if I were paying the market price then I might defer. I wonder whether bottles are on the slippery slope and magnums holding up strong? Apr 2015, www.robertparker.com
About the producer
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti or simply “DRC” is without doubt the most famous domaine in Burgundy and one of the most famous producers on earth. The Grand Cru vineyard from which it takes its name produces the world’s most expensive wine by a long margin.