2005 Romanee-Conti
By Domaine de la Romanee-Conti
The 2005 Romanée-Conti from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Burgundy, France
Within the hallowed enclave of Burgundy, the name "Domaine de la Romanée-Conti" is whispered with a reverence befitting its storied terroir, and the 2005 vintage stands as a testament to the harmonious alchemy between man and nature. As one delves into this vintage from esteemed producer Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, they encounter a vinous narrative shaped by an exceptional year.
A Vintage Defined by Time and Elegance
The 2005 vintage was a remarkable year for Burgundy; weather conditions delivered an almost perfect blend of sunshine and timely rain. This climatic benevolence escorted the vines through a seamless growing season, culminating in grapes that attained both optimum ripeness and balance. Rendering the fabric of this vintage into a masterpiece, the 2005 Romanée-Conti encapsulates this year's exceptional qualities.
Its voluptuous bouquet is a symphony where each note – cherry, damson plum, violet – is articulated with precision. On the palate, one discovers a labyrinth of complexity. The wine's formidable structure is softened by tannins that are seamlessly woven into layers of dark fruit and a nuanced tapestry of earthy undertones. The impeccably integrated oak lends a whisper of spice that further tailors this liquid ensemble.
An Investment Bottled
The 2005 Romanée-Conti offers longevity on both the shelf and in memory; it is an investment piece for connoisseurs seeking to add gravity to their cellar. As one contemplates the starlit path it has already traversed since its inception, its trajectory only promises to ascend in both value and tasting acclaim.
To savour the 2005 Romanée-Conti is to partake in an event – each sip an unfolding narrative that captures the quintessence of its birth year. This wine epitomises vinicultural artistry and stands as one of the most compelling arguments for the majesty of Burgundy's crus. Its place within investment portfolios is as revered as its standing among the finest wines ever crafted on this venerated land.
In conclusion, when considering fine wine investment, one would be remiss to overlook the distinguished stature and rarefied grace of the 2005 Romanée-Conti from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti; a treasure poised for continued appreciation.
Market price (CAD)
$391,430.00
12x75cl
Highest score
99
POP score
12378.42
Scores and tasting notes
There are more startling complexities in the 2005 Romanee-Conti than in any other wine here today, perhaps in the vintage. A stunning, high-toned and utterly unique perfume of pink grapefruit, blood orange, tangerine rind, vivid rose petal, musk, cinnamon, sage, and cassis seduces the olfactors in kaleidoscopic rotation. I hesitate to court sacrilege or ridicule with Germanic allusions but it is impossible not to imagine a great Pinot scented with Gewurztraminer and Scheurebe. On the palate, a pure, clean meatiness emerges, like butchering a meadow-fed lamb, bitter-sweet flowers flying forth in an inner-mouth profusion. Soy and black truffle lend a dark, savory note to the proceedings, leading the long finishing procession over a path strewn with rose petals. Fear not: despite its silken texture, there are abundant tannins woven into this amazing tapestry as well, and I am sure those lucky enough to own some can retain it as collateral, then leave it to their children, safe in the knowledge it has not decayed. Reverential drinking after a dozen or more years would, however, be my preference. Once the grapes in these fabled vineyards had reached a potential alcohol of 13%, reports Aubert de Villaine, he was ready to pick, because conditions had seldom been so conducive to perfect ripeness (including that of the stems). It was all done in a week, commencing with La Tache and Romanee Conti, and finishing on September 23 with Romanee-St.-Vivant (and Montrachet, on which I shall report at a future date). De Villaine intended to bottle in March or April by gravity in six-barrel lots, as has become general practice here over the past decade. Importer: Wilson-Daniels, St. Helena, CA; tel. (707) 963-9661.
David Schildknecht - The Wine Advocate, 29 April 2007