1978 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Romanée-Conti Grand Cru
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Tasting notes
What can one say about one of the rarest and most admired burgundies in the world? There is already a note of brown in the ruby but there seemed no hurry to drink it. It's reached that mushroomy stage of maturity in a hugely heady, complex bouquet. Massive sweetness but still sufficient tension too. It was like a finely cut jewel with intricate layers of flavour and a deep undertow. So beautifully knit together. Super-rich but it really vibrated on the palate. Truly gorgeous. No disappointment! (JR)
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Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
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This bottle of 1978 Romanée-Conti Grand Cru replicates the performance of the previous one in October 2016 and just like then, it is trumped by the 1978 La Tâche. That should not detract from a very fine Pinot Noir, even if nowadays you need to take out a mortgage to pay for it. It was picked on October 16 at a yield of 27hl/ha. Demonstrating wide bricking commensurate with age, it has a lovely bouquet that feels a little more ferrous than the last, mainly red fruit mixed with a curious espresso-like scent, though wonderfully defined. The palate is medium-bodied with exquisite harmony, notes of bay leaf and clove infusing the soft brambly red fruit with dried blood and iron filing notes towards the finish. It is just a little frayed around the edges at 40 years of age, but still a privilege to drink. Tasted at the Romanée-Conti dinner at the Connaught Hotel.
The 1978 Romanée-Conti offers lovely depth and inner sweetness, but it is also mostly resolved and offers little upside from this point forward.
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.