Domaine de la Romanée Conti, La Tache Grand Cru 2003

robert_parker97

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Moderate ruby/garnet hue. Not deep in colour. As with other 2003's the nose stubbornly refuses to open so the wine is left to settle in glass for 10 minutes. Then the aromatics begin to unfurl, spice, leather, cherry, damp moss - very complex. A touch of tobacco develops after a while. The palate is medium to full-bodied, quite supple tannins, rich, raspberry, strawberry. Very smooth texture, hauntingly powerful but very backward. As usual, the finish is very long, with a touch of roasted herbs lingering for over a minute. A more ineffable La Tache than usual. It left me perplexed but wanting more. (846 cases produced) Tasted February 2006.

robert_parker99

Reviewed by: Pierre Rovani

The 2003 La Tache reveals aromas of milk chocolate, violets, roses, and dark cherries. Suave, displaying massive amplitude and a full-bodied, velvety-textured character, this behemoth’s flavor profile brings to mind chocolate-covered black cherries. Immensely powerful and noble, it offers an interminable finish that is packed with flawlessly ripe, sweet tannin. Projected maturity: 2013-2030. Importer: Wilson-Daniels, St. Helena, CA; tel. (707) 963-9661

vinous95

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

($1029) Bright red-ruby. Wonderfully complex nose melds raspberry, rose petal, truffley underbrush and exotic spices. Then almost shockingly fresh in the mouth, with penetrating and rather delicate flavors of red berries and flowers. Still quite tightly wound but already offers compelling inner-mouth perfume. Finishes with building tannins and outstanding verve.

vinous96

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

Bright ruby-red. Aromas of black fruits and violet, with less obvious spicy lift than usual for young La Tache. Then velvety-thick and powerful, with major tannic clout and just enough acidity to give life to the black fruit flavors. Still, this appears to be a wine of power more than finesse. Finishes hugely tannic and a bit tougher on the back today than the Richebourg, still hiding more than it's showing.