Located in the wonderfully named Rue du Temps Perdu, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti is a Burgundy institution.
The Domaine’s co-directors are Aubert de Villaine and Perrine Fénal, daughter of Lalou Bize-Leroy.
All of the holdings are grands crus, although a premier cru is also released in certain years, made from voluntarily declassified grapes. Corney & Barrow has been the Domaine’s exclusive UK agent since 1991.
Following the confiscation of the vineyards of Prince de Conti during the French Revolution, the Domaine was acquired by Monsieur Duvault-Blochet in 1869. La Tâche was acquired in 1933. Romanée-Saint-Vivant was managed from 1966, being purchased outright in 1988.
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti now owns in their entirety the vineyards of La Romanée-Conti and La Tâche, half of Richebourg, more than half of Romanée-Saint-Vivant, a third of Grands-Échézeaux and a seventh of Échézeaux.
As for white wines, beside the Domaine’s Montrachet, this year marks the very exciting and much-awaited introduction of a Corton-Charlemagne. Made from vines leased from Domaine Bonneau du Martray, this will sit alongside the red Corton, which has been produced since the 2009 vintage. In addition, some Bâtard-Montrachet is produced for private use.
The Domaine is biodynamic. When vines need replacing, cuttings are taken from a selection of vines within the Romanée-Conti vineyard. To minimise soil compaction, horses cultivate the vineyards of Romanée-Conti and Le Montrachet. In the cellar, an average of 60% whole bunches is used, along with 100% new oak.
The wines of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti are released once bottled, meaning the 2019 vintage will be the next released in February. Due to very high levels of demand, the wines are on strict allocation.
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Located in the wonderfully named Rue du Temps Perdu, Domaine de la Romanée-Conti is a Burgundy institution.
The Domaine’s co-directors are Aubert de Villaine and Perrine Fénal, daughter of Lalou Bize-Leroy.
All of the holdings are grands crus, although a premier cru is also released in certain years, made from voluntarily declassified grapes. Corney & Barrow has been the Domaine’s exclusive UK agent since 1991.
Following the confiscation of the vineyards of Prince de Conti during the French Revolution, the Domaine was acquired by Monsieur Duvault-Blochet in 1869. La Tâche was acquired in 1933. Romanée-Saint-Vivant was managed from 1966, being purchased outright in 1988.
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti now owns in their entirety the vineyards of La Romanée-Conti and La Tâche, half of Richebourg, more than half of Romanée-Saint-Vivant, a third of Grands-Échézeaux and a seventh of Échézeaux.
At present, its only commercially produced white wine is Le Montrachet, but in 2018 it was announced that the Domaine had secured, from Domaine Bonneau du Martray, a long-term lease in Corton-Charlemagne. This will sit alongside the red Corton, which has been produced since the 2009 vintage, from three plots on which the Domaine also has a long-term lease. In addition, some Bâtard-Montrachet is produced for private use.
The Domaine is biodynamic. When vines need replacing, cuttings are taken from a selection of vines within the Romanée-Conti vineyard. To minimise soil compaction, horses cultivate the vineyards of Romanée-Conti and Le Montrachet. In the cellar, an average of 60% whole bunches is used, along with 100% new oak.
The wines of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti are released once bottled, meaning the 2019 vintage will be the next released in 2022. Due to very high levels of demand, the wines are on strict allocation.
BOURGOGNE PINOT NOIR 2019
This comes from five plots, just outside Pommard. Fresh red cherries and vanilla-cinnamon spice aromas. A joyously ripe palate of raspberry and strawberry fruit, succulent and crunchy, with a core of sweetness making for a sumptuously early drinking, approachable style. Lively and refreshing. 100% destemmed and vinified half in stainless steel, half in old oak barrels.
Corney & Barrow Score 16.5 - 17
Recommended drinking from 2021 – 2024
£[ ]/CASE OF BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
VOLNAY 2019
This wine comes from four plots, two purchased in 1995 and two in 2010, in the middle of the appellation: two in Les Lurets, one in Les Famines and another in Les Paux Bois. A delicate, pure berried nose of raspberry and roses, laced with winter spice. The palate is crisp and harmonious, with poised raspberry fruit and a rocky mineral aspect, with lingering blue-fruited perfume. 100% destemmed.
Corney & Barrow Score 16.5+
Recommended drinking from 2023 – 2027
£[ ]/CASE OF BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
POMMARD 1ER CRU LES ARVELETS 2019
Les Arvelets is a 0.5 hectare south-facing sloping vineyard beside the domaine’s cuverie, whose red clay soils give high ripeness levels. Blackberry and blackcurrant on the nose, with nice undergrowthy aromas. The palate is pure-fruited, with blackberry and raspberry flavours delivering an impressive clarity of expression. Perfectly weighted, rich but with a sense of lightness, the fruit held in place by fine supporting tannins.
Corney & Barrow Score 17+
Recommended drinking from 2025 – 2030
£[ ]/CASE OF BOTTLES, IN BOND UK