Tasting Notes
JancisRobinson.com 19++
Pale crimson. A certain hauteur here compared with La Tâche… Powerful briary nose that takes time to open up. But it certainly unfurls in the glass. Savoury rather than sweet on the nose. Fine and refined. Fine boned – very aristocratic and thoroughbred rather than the richness of La Tâche. Pure refinement. 627 cases
Anticipated maturity: 2035-2060
Robert Parker 98
Wafting from the glass with a deep and complex bouquet of dark wild berries, cassis, wilted rose petals, blood orange, exotic spices, licorice and coniferous forest floor, the 2017 Romanee-Conti Grand Cru is full-bodied, satiny textured and multidimensional. It’s just as powerful as this year’s La Tache but even more elegantly framed by filigree structure, concluding with an intensely sapid and penetratingly fragrant finish. Pristinely balanced, this young Romanee-Conti possesses huge reserves for the long haul despite its deceptively supple youthful appeal, and it will reward extended bottle age.
Anticipated maturity: 2033-2070
Vinous 96
The 2017 Romanée-Conti Grand Cru was tasted from two different barrels. This year it was harvested on the morning of September 8. It has an exquisite, pure bouquet, scents of pressed rose petals infusing the delicate black currant, crushed strawberry and discreet sea-cave aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with filigreed tannin and wonderfully poise and harmony. Is it the most complex or profound Romanée-Conti that I have ever tasted from barrel? Maybe not. But it is an exquisite wine.
Anticipated maturity: 2022-2050
Burghound 94-97
Once again there is evident restraint to the almost taciturn but still kaleidoscopically broad-ranging nose of wonderfully pure and fresh and spicy aromas that include plenty of floral influences on the red currant, cherry, sandalwood and rose petal. The silky and equally pure middle weight flavors possess excellent punch and a similar level of minerality on the focused, powerful, linear and impressively persistent finish. In contrast to the flash of the La Tâche, this is Zen-like in its sense of harmony and focus. Like many of the DRC ’17s, this should be approachable somewhat earlier than normal yet still be capable of reward 20+ years of cellaring.
