Domaine de la Romanée Conti, La Tache Grand Cru 1997

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Reviewed by: Neal Martin

First tasted after bottling at Corney in Feb-00, when I thought it as profound as Romanee-Conti, though the finish was lacking just a little length. But a glorious bottle six years later lunching at "Aubergine" in London. Garnet core with deep brick rim. The nose is closed at first, powerful yet coiled up in the glass. Reluctantly scents of black cherries, minerals and iodine emerge. The palate is again backward, quite tannic with perfectly poised acidity. "Pointed" at first, but mellowing out in the glass to reveal exquisite balance and harmony. Again, black cherries, blueberry and a faint tinny note. Just builds and builds in the glass, but then clams up on the finish. Unlike the Echezeaux 1997 from the domaine, this has a long road ahead. Leave another 5-8 years. (1,272 cases produced) Tasted July 2006.

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Reviewed by: Pierre Rovani

Dark-colored, the aromatically tight 1997 La Tache reveals Asian spices, pepper, cherries and black currants. This is a velvety-textured, expansive, and massively ripe wine boasting flavors reminiscent of licorice and blackberry jam. It has superb depth of fruit (particularly for this sometimes "simple" vintage), medium-to-full body, and admirable length to its supple finish. Anticipated maturity: 2000-2012. Importer: Wilson-Daniels, St. Helena, CA; tel (707) 963-9661.