Wine Advisor
Domaine de la Romanée Conti, Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru 1990
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
The Grands Echezeaux is broader than the Echezeaux, with more black-raspberry and black-cherry elements in its smoky, exotic nose, as well as a longer, more opulent and fleshy finish. Slightly superior to the Echezeaux, its lifeline should be similar - between 1995-2010 . The DRC 1990s, all of which were bottled in April/May, are among the deepest colored wines from this domaine that I have tasted in the last decade. Moreover, they are firmly structured, with significant tannins from both the vintage and from the aging in 100% new oak barrels. For the fortunate few who have had the discretionary income to afford the other great vintages of the DRC from the eighties, 1980, 1983, 1985, 1988, and 1989, the question is - are the 1990s superior? I am not sure they are any better than the 1980s, 1985, and 1988s, but they undoubtedly represent a classic, concentrated, long-lived style of wine. Moreover, all of these wines should have a more graceful evolution and broader window of drinkability than the tannic 1988s, as well as potentially greater longevity than the succulent and opulent 1985s. All of these offerings are outstanding, with that tell-tale complex, exotic fragrance that the DRC routinely achieves. NOTE: Prices had not been released (the wines will arrive in early 1993). I have inserted the same prices asked for the 1989 vintage as an approximation of what these wines will fetch. Importer: Wilson-Daniels, St. Helena, CA.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 1990 Grands Echezeaux is one of my very favorite Domaine de la Romanée-Conti wines. Always a bomb, the 1990 is damn delicious. The bouquet alone is so alluring. Bright red-fleshed fruit, crushed berries, spice and mint fill out the layers in a gorgeous, wonderfully expressive, open-knit GE that is an absolute thrill to drink. When it is on, and that is most of the time, the 1990 is lights out. This bottle is tremendous. What a great way to move into the red wines.
About the Producer
The Domaine de la Romanée-Conti or DRC is one of the most prestigious wine estates in the world with 25.5 hectares mostly in Vosne-Romanée on the route des Grands Crus in the vineyards of the Côte de Nuits of the Burgundy vineyards (named after the 1.8 hectare Clos de la Romanée-Conti, one of the most prestigious mythical grands crus in the world). The civil company of the same name was founded in 1942 by Edmond Gaudin de Villaine. It is now co-managed for their heir family by the winegrowers Aubert de Villaine and Perrine Fenal.
1969(1)1984(1)1989(1)
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