Domaine de la Romanée Conti, La Tache Grand Cru 1976

robert_parker86

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

PRODUCTION: 2,115 cases. An inconsistent year for the DRC wines, the 1976 La Tache possesses extremely high alcohol, ferocious levels of tannin, and a disjointed, diffuse character. It offers the earthy, smoked game, spicy, ripe components of a top vintage, but the wine has a hole in the middle and the structure dominates the wine's personality. The tea and vegetal aspects of Pinot Noir emerge as the wine sits in the glass. It is likely to dry out further with cellaring, so drink it up.

robert_parker90

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 1976 La Tâche Grand Cru is a vintage that I have only encountered once before. This bottle replicated the first. It has a lovely, quite spicy bouquet with scents of warm bricks and peat, fine delineation although not as much fruit as say, the 1978 that I had tasted a few weeks previously (yeah...lucky sod). The palate is medium-bodied, smooth and sensual in texture with a fine bead of acidity. Granted, it is not a complex La Tâche and the growing season bestowed a gaminess that comes through a little more obviously than the previous bottle. Yet for the vintage this has lasted very well and though it will not improve, it should hold in there for another 6-8 years before gently fading. Tasted November 2016.

robert_parker90

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted at the La Tâche vertical at The Square. The La Tâche 1976 surprised a few attendees at the vertical tasting but not myself, simply because I've been fortunate enough to drink so many delightful red Burgundies from this vintage recently. It has a noticeable clear color. The nose is elegant, well defined and betrays little of the notoriously hot and dry summer with light dried rose petal and gamy scents. The palate is well balanced with hints of Chinese tea and piquant red cherries popping up on the finish. If you find bottles that have been kept in a good cellar, you will be pleasantly surprised.