Domaine de la Romanée Conti, La Tache Grand Cru 2006

robert_parker94

Reviewed by: David Schildknecht

Domaine de La Romanee-Conti's 2006 La Tache possesses a sense of sheer density and a viscosity – by no means precluding energy – that go beyond the other wines in the Domaine's current collection. Scents of bitter-sweet floral perfume, citrus oils, white pepper, peat, and black fruit distillates pungently, almost aggressively fill the nose. The marrow and beef gelatin aspect of this Pinot is salient, but is allied on a palpably tannic palate with similarly impressive concentrated cooked black fruits, dark mushroom stock, forest floor, smoky Lapsang tea, and licorice. For grip and power, too, this surpasses its stable mates. But a glance back at the Romanee-St.-Vivant suggests that you can't have it all, and that this La Tache cannot approach that wine's finesse or quite equal its mystery. Still, I suspect this will be worth following for at least two decades. The Domaine de La Romanee-Conti harvested from the 20th-25th of September (commencing with Richebourg) and subjected the crop to rigorous sorting. Understandably, the viticultural meticulousness at this estate as well as its team of some 60 highly-skilled and –motivated pickers paid dividends in the context of a challenging vintage. Director Aubert de Villaine and cellarmaster Bernard Noblet vinified their 2006s with a lesser share of stems and whole clusters, and exposed them to new wood for a shorter period (thereafter racking into older barrels) than the corresponding 2005s. Importer: Wilson-Daniels, St. Helena, CA; tel. (707) 963-9661

robert_parker97

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

This barrel sample has a crisp, arresting nose of blackberry leaf, a hint of red cherries, a stalky element that lends it a sense of urgency. The palate is sensuous on the entry leading to an overtly minerally mid-palate with hints of Doris plum, blackberry and blueberry. Like all great Burgundy wines, it has a telling crescendo of intensity towards the finish of boysenberry, blackcurrant and briary. Great potential: I suspect that this might actually be better than the 2004 La Tache. Tasted June 2008.

vinous96

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

The 2006 La Tâche is the most layered and pliant of these four 2006s. I especially admire the wine’s inner sweetness and perfume, both qualities that carry through to the creamy, expressive finish. This is a terrific showing from the 2006.

vinous96

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2006 La Tâche Grand Cru is a vintage that I had not tasted since it was in barrel. But what a gorgeous wine it has turned out. The bouquet is so seductive, a heady mixture of red and blue fruit, pressed violets and citrus fruit that soar from the glass with amazing precision. The palate is medium-bodied with precise tannin, velvety smooth in texture with layers of red fruit laced with black cherries, Earl Grey and even a hint of liquorice. Monitoring the wine over several minutes it seems to gain depth and persistence. Beautiful. Tasted at 67 Pall Mall.

vinous95

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

Deep red. Lovely high-pitched aromas and flavors of raspberry, minerals, flowers and spices; this could go into a time capsule. Then juicy, pure and almost magically light on its feet, with terrific verve and spicy lift. With air, a note of smoky underbrush emerged, but in comparison to this sappy wine the 2005 is distinctly more sauvage Finishes with sweet but firm tannins and outstanding purity and persistence.

vinous96

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

Full, bright red. Sexy nose combines raspberry, red cherry, spices, minerals and a suggestion of game. Supple, sweet and pure, with terrific energy and thrust to its fruit-driven flavors of red cherry, red berries and spices. This boasts the sappiness, light touch and ineffable purity and perfume of the best examples of the vintage. Extremely long and pungent on the aftertaste. A beauty in the making. Today I find this more my style than the '05 version, but the earlier wine is in a sullen stage and will need even longer aging.