2 magnums per lot
Details
AN EXTRAORDINARY OFFERING OF DOMAINE DE LA ROMANÉE-CONTI, LA TÂCHE
1971 VINTAGE IN BOTH MAGNUM AND JEROBOAM
VINTAGE 1971 ****
The firmest and, judging by my own notes, infinitely the most dependable of the '69, '70 and '71 trio, for though it has had the reputation of being somewhat hard, unyielding and 'untypical' it is these very factors which have so effectively developed the best over the past 30 years. There was some unevenness at the time of flowering and a severe hailstorm in August, affecting in particular the Côte de Beaune, otherwise the growing season was satisfactory. The weather during the first half of September was lovely and a small crop of ripe grapes was harvested from the 16th. The major estates and top négociants produced wonderful wines which are still delectable. As always, avoid the middle-of-the-road commercial wines.
MB, Vintage Wine
La Tâche--Vintage 1971
Levels: one 1.5cm, one 4.5cm; cut capsules verified domaine stamped vintage branded corks (see illustration), lightly bin soiled labels, serial numbers 553, 820
Côte de Nuits, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
"In 1983, at the Domaine, I had the rare pleasure of what some Americans describe as a 'double cross' tasting, meaning vertically and horizontally, with all the other DRC '71s, against which it seemed rather restrained. Hardy Rodenstock produced a jeroboam in 1989: it had sweetened up despite its tannic bite, with good colour and wonderful fragrance. Another jeroboam in 1992 at a Bacchus Society dinner in Boston held in my honour: a wonderful wine with "extra dimensions', fruit, flesh, length, and tannin. Most recently at Manfred Wagner's vertical: still with good colour; gloriously fragrant, sustained Pinot bouquet, sweet, superb balance. Last tasted in Zurich, April 1998***** Plenty of life left." MB, Vintage Wine
"Exuberant, gorgeously spicy, indeed even classic La Tâche nose trimmed in hints of caramel lead to warm, rich, full-bodied flavors of considerable depth and complexity with structure that has fully resolved itself and stunning length. The elevated acidity that plagues some bottles was perfectly integrated and the overall impression is a fully mature LT of considerable elegance. From another bottle, also tasted in 2003: While this still has the classic La Tâche nose and is wonderfully expressive, the flavors are thinning and there is more than a touch of acid poking through on the nicely persistent finish. To be sure, this is still quite good and has plenty of life yet but this bottle suggests that this would be best drunk over the next 5 years or so." Burghound.com, September 1, 2003
2 magnums per lot
1971 VINTAGE IN BOTH MAGNUM AND JEROBOAM
VINTAGE 1971 ****
The firmest and, judging by my own notes, infinitely the most dependable of the '69, '70 and '71 trio, for though it has had the reputation of being somewhat hard, unyielding and 'untypical' it is these very factors which have so effectively developed the best over the past 30 years. There was some unevenness at the time of flowering and a severe hailstorm in August, affecting in particular the Côte de Beaune, otherwise the growing season was satisfactory. The weather during the first half of September was lovely and a small crop of ripe grapes was harvested from the 16th. The major estates and top négociants produced wonderful wines which are still delectable. As always, avoid the middle-of-the-road commercial wines.
MB, Vintage Wine
La Tâche--Vintage 1971
Levels: one 1.5cm, one 4.5cm; cut capsules verified domaine stamped vintage branded corks (see illustration), lightly bin soiled labels, serial numbers 553, 820
Côte de Nuits, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
"In 1983, at the Domaine, I had the rare pleasure of what some Americans describe as a 'double cross' tasting, meaning vertically and horizontally, with all the other DRC '71s, against which it seemed rather restrained. Hardy Rodenstock produced a jeroboam in 1989: it had sweetened up despite its tannic bite, with good colour and wonderful fragrance. Another jeroboam in 1992 at a Bacchus Society dinner in Boston held in my honour: a wonderful wine with "extra dimensions', fruit, flesh, length, and tannin. Most recently at Manfred Wagner's vertical: still with good colour; gloriously fragrant, sustained Pinot bouquet, sweet, superb balance. Last tasted in Zurich, April 1998***** Plenty of life left." MB, Vintage Wine
"Exuberant, gorgeously spicy, indeed even classic La Tâche nose trimmed in hints of caramel lead to warm, rich, full-bodied flavors of considerable depth and complexity with structure that has fully resolved itself and stunning length. The elevated acidity that plagues some bottles was perfectly integrated and the overall impression is a fully mature LT of considerable elegance. From another bottle, also tasted in 2003: While this still has the classic La Tâche nose and is wonderfully expressive, the flavors are thinning and there is more than a touch of acid poking through on the nicely persistent finish. To be sure, this is still quite good and has plenty of life yet but this bottle suggests that this would be best drunk over the next 5 years or so." Burghound.com, September 1, 2003
2 magnums per lot
Provenance
Acquired by the current owner upon initial commercial release