1 dozen bottles per lot
Details
1971 DRC ASSORTMENTS
The following wines were acquired by the consignor in 1974 after having been ordered personally from the Domaine. This is evident in the lack of Echézeaux and the prominence of four La Tâche in each case. While initially inspecting these wines, I was taken to the back of a very large temperature and humidity controlled room, and saw these astounding three cases. I was even more amazed when I saw the levels, labels and that the corks were all very firm. I knew we had something special and remarkable for the market.
The following quotes are all from Mr. Michael Broadbent M.W., and indicate his enthusiasm for both the wines, and the vintage. In his book, The New Great Vintage Wine Book, he indicates that the maturity dates for many of these wines as 2000 and beyond.
1971
A magnificent vintage: rich, structurally sound, long lasting wines. Almost from the start, certain Burgundian voices mildly protested that they were rather too big, somewhat untypical. They have been proved at least partially right. It is untypical.
The weather was settled and generally favourable from the spring to well past the harvest save for one or two blips: some failures at the time of flowering and hail mid Aug followed by a poor week, happily corrected by warm sun in Sept. A small crop of ripe, concentrated grapes picked early.
Romanée-Conti
At the Domaine's and Lebègue's main trade tasting in 1974 the wine appeared misleading of course. Three years later it was filling out and at 12 years of age had actually deepened in colour. Certainly the richest and sweetest of the '71 DRCs on the nose, after only minutes in the glass, opulent, holding well for well over 1 1/2 hours -- and doubtless would have continued to exude fragrance had the glass not been removed. On the palate distinctly sweet, full, richly flavoured. A vast, complete wine packed with fruit, with great length and flowery aftertaste.
La Tâche
Eight notes, three from jeroboams. Pink tinged, high toned in 1974, dry and holding back in 1977 but opening up, assertively, fragrant in its 10th year. Its inimitable bouquet, ambrosial beetroot, fully in evidence at a grand Christie's Chicago Wine Company dinner in 1982. Served in magnums. Marvellous flavour and richness but still tannic. I gave it another 20 years. 12 months later, at the domaine, tasted 'vertically' against a wine range of other vintages and 'horizontally' alongside the other '71 DRCs, it seemed comparatively restrained. Most recently in jeroboam again, medium-deep, wonderfully fragrant; seemed sweeter but still with quite a tannic bite.
Richebourg
DRC Richebourg is to La Tâche as Latour is to Ch. Margaux. Usually more four-square, substantial, long living. In 1974, I noted a roasted character, in 1977, earthy, rounded. At the Domaine in May 1983 it had quite definitely deepened in colour, the darkest and most intense of the '71 DRC range. A broad, expansive, slightly vegetal nose, yet with a Chambertin-like 'fishy' Pinot aroma. Marvellous fruit. Held well. Full bodied, rich, firm, with warm dry finish. Most recently, in magnum, rich, mature appearance; glorious bouquet; with the incoming sweetness of alcohol and ripe grapes, flavour of violets, great length.
Romanée-Saint-Vivant
The old Général Marey Monge Domaine was managed, and the wimes made by the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. Although always released at a hefty price, (the '71 the same as Richebourg); it does not hold its own on the open market and, for that reason, is better value than its peers. Delightful in 1974 with deep fragrance and great elegance in May 1983. Most recently, very mature looking; a glorious bouquet; touch of sweetness, firm, assertive even, good fruit. Despite appearances to the contrary, still a certain amount of tannin and acidity ensuring a good life ahead. A very stylish wine.
Grands-Echézeaux
In 1974, just under half the price of Romanée-Conti, and looking disarmingly advanced, open-knit. Three years later it was marking time, immature even; then, by 1980, surging ahead: lovely flavour and texture. Seemed perfect. At the horizontal tasting in May 1983 I noted a fairly good depth of colour though browning a little at the rim; fine, firm, crisp, fragrant boquet. Stylish, elegant. Still tannic. Most recently, the same notes apply. Heavenly bouquet. The epitome of refinement yet still more to come.
DRC Assortment--Vintage 1971
Côte de Nuits, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
In original wooden cases
Lot 436 levels: all 3cm or better
Lot 437-438 levels: all 4.5cm or better
Parcel lots 437-438
Romanée-Conti(1)
La Tâche(4)
Richebourg(2)
Romanée-Saint-Vivant(3)
Grands-Echézeaux(2)
1 dozen bottles per lot
The following wines were acquired by the consignor in 1974 after having been ordered personally from the Domaine. This is evident in the lack of Echézeaux and the prominence of four La Tâche in each case. While initially inspecting these wines, I was taken to the back of a very large temperature and humidity controlled room, and saw these astounding three cases. I was even more amazed when I saw the levels, labels and that the corks were all very firm. I knew we had something special and remarkable for the market.
The following quotes are all from Mr. Michael Broadbent M.W., and indicate his enthusiasm for both the wines, and the vintage. In his book, The New Great Vintage Wine Book, he indicates that the maturity dates for many of these wines as 2000 and beyond.
1971
A magnificent vintage: rich, structurally sound, long lasting wines. Almost from the start, certain Burgundian voices mildly protested that they were rather too big, somewhat untypical. They have been proved at least partially right. It is untypical.
The weather was settled and generally favourable from the spring to well past the harvest save for one or two blips: some failures at the time of flowering and hail mid Aug followed by a poor week, happily corrected by warm sun in Sept. A small crop of ripe, concentrated grapes picked early.
Romanée-Conti
At the Domaine's and Lebègue's main trade tasting in 1974 the wine appeared misleading of course. Three years later it was filling out and at 12 years of age had actually deepened in colour. Certainly the richest and sweetest of the '71 DRCs on the nose, after only minutes in the glass, opulent, holding well for well over 1 1/2 hours -- and doubtless would have continued to exude fragrance had the glass not been removed. On the palate distinctly sweet, full, richly flavoured. A vast, complete wine packed with fruit, with great length and flowery aftertaste.
La Tâche
Eight notes, three from jeroboams. Pink tinged, high toned in 1974, dry and holding back in 1977 but opening up, assertively, fragrant in its 10th year. Its inimitable bouquet, ambrosial beetroot, fully in evidence at a grand Christie's Chicago Wine Company dinner in 1982. Served in magnums. Marvellous flavour and richness but still tannic. I gave it another 20 years. 12 months later, at the domaine, tasted 'vertically' against a wine range of other vintages and 'horizontally' alongside the other '71 DRCs, it seemed comparatively restrained. Most recently in jeroboam again, medium-deep, wonderfully fragrant; seemed sweeter but still with quite a tannic bite.
Richebourg
DRC Richebourg is to La Tâche as Latour is to Ch. Margaux. Usually more four-square, substantial, long living. In 1974, I noted a roasted character, in 1977, earthy, rounded. At the Domaine in May 1983 it had quite definitely deepened in colour, the darkest and most intense of the '71 DRC range. A broad, expansive, slightly vegetal nose, yet with a Chambertin-like 'fishy' Pinot aroma. Marvellous fruit. Held well. Full bodied, rich, firm, with warm dry finish. Most recently, in magnum, rich, mature appearance; glorious bouquet; with the incoming sweetness of alcohol and ripe grapes, flavour of violets, great length.
Romanée-Saint-Vivant
The old Général Marey Monge Domaine was managed, and the wimes made by the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. Although always released at a hefty price, (the '71 the same as Richebourg); it does not hold its own on the open market and, for that reason, is better value than its peers. Delightful in 1974 with deep fragrance and great elegance in May 1983. Most recently, very mature looking; a glorious bouquet; touch of sweetness, firm, assertive even, good fruit. Despite appearances to the contrary, still a certain amount of tannin and acidity ensuring a good life ahead. A very stylish wine.
Grands-Echézeaux
In 1974, just under half the price of Romanée-Conti, and looking disarmingly advanced, open-knit. Three years later it was marking time, immature even; then, by 1980, surging ahead: lovely flavour and texture. Seemed perfect. At the horizontal tasting in May 1983 I noted a fairly good depth of colour though browning a little at the rim; fine, firm, crisp, fragrant boquet. Stylish, elegant. Still tannic. Most recently, the same notes apply. Heavenly bouquet. The epitome of refinement yet still more to come.
DRC Assortment--Vintage 1971
Côte de Nuits, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
In original wooden cases
Lot 436 levels: all 3cm or better
Lot 437-438 levels: all 4.5cm or better
Parcel lots 437-438
Romanée-Conti(1)
La Tâche(4)
Richebourg(2)
Romanée-Saint-Vivant(3)
Grands-Echézeaux(2)
1 dozen bottles per lot
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