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1 dozen bottles per lot
Details
DRC Assortment--Vintage 1996
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
In original wooden case, banded
Romanée-Conti(1)
"More complex [than the La Tâche], explosive aromas of roasted plum, blackcurrant and smoke; conveys an impression of brooding power. Very thick but with great vinosity and flavor definition. Combines the earthiness of Romanée-Saint-Vivant, the density of Grands-Echézeaux and the mouthdusting tannins of La Tâche. A second sample showed even stronger fruit and greater concentration. From grapes picked with potential alcohol near 12.5 and chaptalized only slightly." Stephen Tanzer, IWC Issue 77, March/April 1998
La Tâche(3)
"('It's quite possible that the '96 will be the longest lived of any La Tâche produced in many years' - Aubert de Villaine) Fantastically pure with the classic spice box, hoisin and soy nose followed by big, rich, very structured flavors that display notes of earth, leather and tea. The tannins are big, ripe and are completely buffered by the sap with length that is simply phenomenal. This remains completely primary in character and seems not to have budged at all since it was bottled. A genuinely great vintage for La Tâche that should improve for another decade and last for 50 years. Very classy juice." BH
Richebourg(1)
"In colour, this is a medium-deep, youthful purple, the aroma being sooty and gamey, with complex fruitiness. This is a fleshy, powerful, majestic wine, with admirable tannins, great length and enormous potential." A.H.
Romanée-Saint-Vivant(2)
"This bright ruby-colored wine's nose is magnificent. Its complex fragrances of perfume, roses, violets, crisp cherries, and cassis are intermingled with Asian spices, mocha, and faint hints of earth. Wow! Its aromas merit a score in the upper-90s! As often happens with wines from this vineyard, it is more appealing aromatically than gustatorily. That being said, this wine has a dense, ripe, and expressive character. It is a delicious, medium-to-full-bodied, refined, highly-delineated, and toasty cherry-flavored offering. Drink (and smell!) it between 2002 and 2012." Pierre Rovani, Wine Advocate #118 (Aug 1998)
Grands Echézeaux(2)
"Deep red-ruby color. More floral aromas of game, leather, tar, Cuban tobacco and currants. A step up in sweetness and texture, with lovely depth of fruit. Much more material here to buffer the tannins. Very long and classy on the aftertaste." Stephen Tanzer, IWC Issue 83, March/April 1999
Echézeaux(3)
"Deep red-ruby color. Rather wild, raw fruit aromas of fraise des bois and redcurrant. Bright, focused and juicy, with firm acids and excellent intensity. Shows more grip and structure than the '95. And yet this seems somehow more streamlined, less sweet." Stephen Tanzer, IWC Issue 77, March/April 1998
1 dozen bottles per lot
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
In original wooden case, banded
Romanée-Conti(1)
"More complex [than the La Tâche], explosive aromas of roasted plum, blackcurrant and smoke; conveys an impression of brooding power. Very thick but with great vinosity and flavor definition. Combines the earthiness of Romanée-Saint-Vivant, the density of Grands-Echézeaux and the mouthdusting tannins of La Tâche. A second sample showed even stronger fruit and greater concentration. From grapes picked with potential alcohol near 12.5 and chaptalized only slightly." Stephen Tanzer, IWC Issue 77, March/April 1998
La Tâche(3)
"('It's quite possible that the '96 will be the longest lived of any La Tâche produced in many years' - Aubert de Villaine) Fantastically pure with the classic spice box, hoisin and soy nose followed by big, rich, very structured flavors that display notes of earth, leather and tea. The tannins are big, ripe and are completely buffered by the sap with length that is simply phenomenal. This remains completely primary in character and seems not to have budged at all since it was bottled. A genuinely great vintage for La Tâche that should improve for another decade and last for 50 years. Very classy juice." BH
Richebourg(1)
"In colour, this is a medium-deep, youthful purple, the aroma being sooty and gamey, with complex fruitiness. This is a fleshy, powerful, majestic wine, with admirable tannins, great length and enormous potential." A.H.
Romanée-Saint-Vivant(2)
"This bright ruby-colored wine's nose is magnificent. Its complex fragrances of perfume, roses, violets, crisp cherries, and cassis are intermingled with Asian spices, mocha, and faint hints of earth. Wow! Its aromas merit a score in the upper-90s! As often happens with wines from this vineyard, it is more appealing aromatically than gustatorily. That being said, this wine has a dense, ripe, and expressive character. It is a delicious, medium-to-full-bodied, refined, highly-delineated, and toasty cherry-flavored offering. Drink (and smell!) it between 2002 and 2012." Pierre Rovani, Wine Advocate #118 (Aug 1998)
Grands Echézeaux(2)
"Deep red-ruby color. More floral aromas of game, leather, tar, Cuban tobacco and currants. A step up in sweetness and texture, with lovely depth of fruit. Much more material here to buffer the tannins. Very long and classy on the aftertaste." Stephen Tanzer, IWC Issue 83, March/April 1999
Echézeaux(3)
"Deep red-ruby color. Rather wild, raw fruit aromas of fraise des bois and redcurrant. Bright, focused and juicy, with firm acids and excellent intensity. Shows more grip and structure than the '95. And yet this seems somehow more streamlined, less sweet." Stephen Tanzer, IWC Issue 77, March/April 1998
1 dozen bottles per lot