2003 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Montrachet Grand Cru
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Tasting notes
The 2003 Montrachet Grand Cru is a vintage I had not tasted until now. It has a fresh and linear nose, surprisingly backward at first, with hints of shucked oyster shells and a light lemon verbena note mixed with orange rind. The palate is well-balanced with the horsepower one expects from this vineyard. Plenty of energy is locked up in this Montrachet, with impressive depth, yet it is a book that is only in its opening chapters - there is a long way to go here. Excellent.
Critic scores
Pierre Rovani
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
Over the years, I have tasted the 2003 Montrachet enough times to not be surprised by its freshness and phenolic intensity. Powerful, ample and racy in the glass, the 2003 shows quite a bit of verve, with attractive orange peel, honey and dried flowers overtones that develop in the glass. On this night, the 2003 is impressive, especially looking back at the torrid conditions that year. If anything, the 2003 needs more time in the cellar! Tasted at the DRC Montrachet charity event in New York.
The 2003 Montrachet (tasted from magnum) is an unqualified success in a scorching hot year that was especially challenging for whites. Somehow DRC pulled off a miracle here. Remarkably fresh and vibrant in its aromatic top notes, the 2003 is marked by its distinctive sense of phenolic weight. Even with all of its obvious intensity, the 2003 retains gorgeous nuance and overall poise. White pepper, orchard fruit, mint and lightly spiced notes are all beautifully delineated throughout. To be sure, the magnum format helps preserve freshness, but the 2003 has been equally impressive from bottle.
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.