Domaine de la Romanée Conti, La Tache Grand Cru 1991

robert_parker93

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

PRODUCTION: 1,428 cases. The 1991 La Tache is a compelling wine. It possesses a deep color, as well as a tell-tale, decadent bouquet of smoked meats, jammy black fruits, and Asian spices. Expansive, full-bodied, and oozing with rich, sweet fruit, this example of La Tache, despite its flamboyance, is structured, tannic, and in need of at least 3-4 more years of cellaring. It should last for 20 years.

robert_parker99

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

A little degradation on the rim. A rich alcoholic nose of ripe blueberry and cassis. Incredibly pure and hedonistic. Phenomenal balance and power on the palate with velvety smooth tannins and a lot of glycerin. Sweet morello cherry and dark chocolate on the finish. Almost perfect. Breathtaking. Tasted December 1999.

robert_parker93

Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.

As usual, La Tache is compelling. It possesses the deepest color of any of the 1991s, as well as a tell-tale, decadent bouquet of smoked meats, jammy black fruits, and Asian spices. Expansive, full-bodied, and oozing with rich, sweet fruit, this example of La Tache, despite its flamboyance, is structured, tannic, and in need of at least 3-4 more years of cellaring. It should last for up to 20 years. NOTE: Prices have not been released; those listed are estimated based on recent vintages. As did most Burgundy domaines, the DRC had exceptionally low yields in 1991, ranging from under 20 hectoliters per hectare to a high of 26 hectoliters per hectare for the Grands Echezeaux. Unquestionably, all of these wines are successful and should age for two decades. Although the wines have already been bottled, they will not be released until late winter or early spring 1994, thus prices have not yet been established. Importer: Wilson-Daniels, St. Helena, CA. NOTES ON THE 1992s FROM BARREL: While I cannot say the 1992s are superior to the 1991s, they are completely different in style. The 1992s are more approachable, supple, and come closest to resembling the superlative 1982s.

robert_parker97

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted at the La Tâche vertical at The Square. I tasted the La Tâche 1991 twice within 24 hours: the first ex-domaine and the second purchased from auction in Switzerland, both with Aubert de Villaine present. The former was the best, right? Wrong. It was actually the second that clearly delivered, the ex-domaine example so brutally backward that it was more impressive than a wine to love. That was not the case with the second. The nose was unapologetically ethereal with mineral-laden black fruit with hints of cold wet limestone and peaty moorland on a gloomy winter's day. The precision is quite astonishing. The palate is perfectly balanced as it glides effortlessly across the mouth, intense rather than powerful, a gentle crescendo that fans out gracefully on the finish. I have always had faith in the 1991 La Tâche and now it is coming out of the shadow of the 1990 and proving once and for all, which wine is the greater.