1 dozen bottles per lot
Details
DOMAINE DE LA ROMANEE-CONTI ASSORTMENT 1985
Vintage 1985 *****
One of my favourite burgundy vintages. Certainly some of my most consistently glowing notes. The weather conditions were interesting: unprecedented low temperatures in January, snow in February delaying budding but minimizing the risk of late frosts. Delayed flowering; June and July were fairly normal but, from the first week in August, heat and drought, then hail storms. From 1 September constant sunshine. A ripe, healthy crop and one of the best vintages in most grower's memories. A wide range of '85s tasted... they demonstrate the superiority and extra depth of the grand, crus the quality of 1er crus as well as, even in a vintage like this, the variations between village wines. MB, Vintage Wine
Property of an East-Coast collector
DRC Assortment--Vintage 1985
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
In original wooden case, banded, prior to inspection
Echézeaux
Levels: one 1cm and two 2cm; one stained label, one tissue stained label, one signs of seepage(3)
"Very ripe and still quite fresh with black fruit mixed with spicy secondary aromas that lead to robust, slightly rustic yet stylish and rich flavors that still display some structure on the moderately long finish. This is really quite pretty and certainly a very good showing for this wine. While it's drinking well now there is no rush." BH
Richebourg
Level: 1.5cm(1)
"glorious; a massive wine with loads of grip. Tannic. Superb but not a heart-on-sleeve wine. It needs time. Say 2006-2020." MB, Vintage Wine
Romanée-Saint-Vivant
Levels: 3cm; lightly corroded capsules, tissue stained labels(2) "My highest overall masrk at the St-Vivant vertical (1978-1991) in Nover 1995: exuberantly fragrant, soft moch, then walnuts and autumnal berries; expanded quickly in the mouth, glorious flavour and finish. Three months later: very sweet, rich, delicious. Last tasted Feb 1996 *****" MB, Vintage Wine
La Tâche
Levels: one 1.5cm and two 2cm; two lightly corroded capsules, one stained vintage label(3)
"Most recently: beautiful in a all respect. At its most gloriously fragrant best. Last noted at the closing dinner of Stephen Kaplan's 1985 vintage event in Chicago, April 2000 *****" MB, Vintage Wine
Romanée-Conti
Level: 2.5cm(1)
"Alas, only one note: concentrated nose; very sweet, rich, multi-dimensional. Tasting a client's stock in New York, Deb 1996 *****" MB, Vintage Wine
Grand Echézeaux
Level: 1.5cm; one signs of seepage(2)
"In 1996, lined up with all the other '85s DRCs, seemed relatively low-keyed though very good. Most recently: excellent, mature Pinot bouquet and flavour. Great length, marvellous fragrance. Last noted at a Christie's pre-sale tasting at the American Club, Tokyo. Nov 1999 *****" MB, Vintage Wine
1 dozen bottles per lot
Vintage 1985 *****
One of my favourite burgundy vintages. Certainly some of my most consistently glowing notes. The weather conditions were interesting: unprecedented low temperatures in January, snow in February delaying budding but minimizing the risk of late frosts. Delayed flowering; June and July were fairly normal but, from the first week in August, heat and drought, then hail storms. From 1 September constant sunshine. A ripe, healthy crop and one of the best vintages in most grower's memories. A wide range of '85s tasted... they demonstrate the superiority and extra depth of the grand, crus the quality of 1er crus as well as, even in a vintage like this, the variations between village wines. MB, Vintage Wine
Property of an East-Coast collector
DRC Assortment--Vintage 1985
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
In original wooden case, banded, prior to inspection
Echézeaux
Levels: one 1cm and two 2cm; one stained label, one tissue stained label, one signs of seepage(3)
"Very ripe and still quite fresh with black fruit mixed with spicy secondary aromas that lead to robust, slightly rustic yet stylish and rich flavors that still display some structure on the moderately long finish. This is really quite pretty and certainly a very good showing for this wine. While it's drinking well now there is no rush." BH
Richebourg
Level: 1.5cm(1)
"glorious; a massive wine with loads of grip. Tannic. Superb but not a heart-on-sleeve wine. It needs time. Say 2006-2020." MB, Vintage Wine
Romanée-Saint-Vivant
Levels: 3cm; lightly corroded capsules, tissue stained labels(2) "My highest overall masrk at the St-Vivant vertical (1978-1991) in Nover 1995: exuberantly fragrant, soft moch, then walnuts and autumnal berries; expanded quickly in the mouth, glorious flavour and finish. Three months later: very sweet, rich, delicious. Last tasted Feb 1996 *****" MB, Vintage Wine
La Tâche
Levels: one 1.5cm and two 2cm; two lightly corroded capsules, one stained vintage label(3)
"Most recently: beautiful in a all respect. At its most gloriously fragrant best. Last noted at the closing dinner of Stephen Kaplan's 1985 vintage event in Chicago, April 2000 *****" MB, Vintage Wine
Romanée-Conti
Level: 2.5cm(1)
"Alas, only one note: concentrated nose; very sweet, rich, multi-dimensional. Tasting a client's stock in New York, Deb 1996 *****" MB, Vintage Wine
Grand Echézeaux
Level: 1.5cm; one signs of seepage(2)
"In 1996, lined up with all the other '85s DRCs, seemed relatively low-keyed though very good. Most recently: excellent, mature Pinot bouquet and flavour. Great length, marvellous fragrance. Last noted at a Christie's pre-sale tasting at the American Club, Tokyo. Nov 1999 *****" MB, Vintage Wine
1 dozen bottles per lot