Domaine de la Romanée Conti

Domaine de la Romanée Conti: the most famous wine in the world

The Domaine de la Romanée Conti is a Burgundy wine estate with an international reputation. This great Burgundy wines produced by this legendary estate never cease to excite collectors. The vineyard extends over nearly 25 hectares on different plots. It is classified Grand Cru de Bourgogne in Richebourg, Romanée Saint Vivant, Echezeaux, Grands Echezeaux as well as the grand cru appellations La Tâche and Romanée Conti which are monopolies. Two noble grape varieties are harvested there: Pinot Noir for the red wines, as well as Chardonnay for the white wines in the Montrachet appellation. All the appellations offered are at the height of elegance and depth.

The history of the Domaine de la Romanée Conti

Acquired by the Prince of Conti in 1760, this 1.85 hectare vineyard produced barely more than 6,000 bottles per year of a legendary and exceptional wine. However, after the French Revolution, the Estate was declared national property. Romanée Conti had many owners, including the Duvault-Blochet family, who acquired several other plots including La Tâche, Richebourg and Echézeaux. Today, each bottle of Romanée Conti bears the double signature of Aubert de Villaine and Henry-Frédéric Roch, current owners and managers of the Estate. Romanée Conti was the last plot of vines in Burgundy to resist phylloxera, but during the Second World War, the lack of carbon disulphide led to its destruction in 1945. The consequences were terrible, because from 1946 to 1951, no vintage was produced.

Aubert de Villaine, the ambition of a man

Co-owner of the Romanée-Conti family estate with the Leroy family, Aubert de Villaine hesitated for a long time before following in the footsteps of his father, who was also a winemaker. After studying law and literature, he flew to New York and began his career importing Burgundy wines. Passionate about wine, he also devoted himself to journalism and interviewed, among others, Robert Mondavi in ​​1966. It was at this time that his father called him to his side. He started as an apprentice at the estate. Since then, he has continued to put his dedication, passion and high standards at the service of Romanée-Conti, which continues to produce the greatest red wines in the world.

Unparalleled know-how

The winemaking and maturing conditions (maximum fruit maturity, very high selectivity, maximum precautions at each stage, maturing in new wood) allow for the production of an exceptional wine. Thus aromas of magnificent complexity evoking rose, violet, spices, truffle and leather are found in this sumptuous wine. Everything at Domaine Romanée Conti is implemented to produce only great wines for laying down. Biodynamics has taken on a different role over the last ten years under the new leadership of Henry Frédéric-Roch. In 2017, the estate obtained Biodyvin certification.

“We opted for 100% biodynamic because we know of no other method or means of having and maintaining such healthy vineyards,” says Aubert de Villaine, winegrower, co-heir and co-manager of Domaine de la Romanée Conti.

our selection

DOMAINE DE LA ROMANEE CONTI 1942

98/100 – Wine Spectator

“Recorked at the estate. Incredible color, red in the center with a brick rim; younger than the 1966. The complex bouquet of autumn wood, smoke and mineral notes transformed into wild strawberry and violet after about 20 minutes in the glass. On the palate, the wine is very soft and fruity, with notes of caramel and raisin. It is expansive and vigorous at over 60 years old. It continues to enrich itself with time in the glass and simply blossoms.”

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DOMAINE DE LA ROMANEE CONTI 1990

100/100 – Robert Parker

“I can’t think of a deeper, more youthful red Burgundy than the 1990 La Tache from DRC. While it still needs 3-4 years of cellaring, it is incredibly well endowed, with an extraordinary perfume of Asian spices and black raspberry jam, smoke-infused cherries and blackberries, toast and dried herbs. Full-bodied, yet ethereal, with layers of flavor and a stunning delicacy and complexity.”

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DOMAINE DE LA ROMANEE CONTI 2003

98/100 – Falstaff

“Very dark color, purple highlights, subtle lightening of the edges. Fantastic perfume, intoxicating bouquet of black cherries and candied violets, on a background of candied wild berries. Very powerful palate, notes of nougat and blackcurrant, nuances of ripe cherries, firm and well-integrated tannins, convincing length, great future potential.”

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