2008 Romanee-Conti
By Domaine de la Romanee-Conti
2008 Romanée-Conti from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Burgundy, France
The year 2008 in Burgundy was not without its vicissitudes; nevertheless, the hands that nurtured the vineyards of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti have culled it into a vintage dipped in triumph. The Pinot Noir of the 2008 Romanée-Conti plumbs the depths of complexity and refinement like a masterwork of art.
A Harvest Against the Elements
The climatic rollercoaster which characterized the 2008 season in Burgundy had many vignerons biting their nails. A cool summer gave way to an uneven September, challenging the mettle of the grapes. Yet, just as hope waned, an eleventh-hour reprieve with wind and sun arriving before harvest worked small wonders. The grapes selected for the 2008 Romanée-Conti showed remarkable concentration.
This vintage emerges from its alchemy with lesser quantities but radiant quality - a testament to the exacting standards at Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. On identifying this wine in a blind tasting, its striking bouquet is a herald: vibrant red cherry and profound earthy undertones announce a remarkable pedigree.
Investment Reflections
The resilience and tenacity of the 2008 vintage come through upon tasting - expressing a tense, linear profile that has unfurled gracefully with time in bottle. Its poised acidity and tannins have integrated seamlessly, suggesting not merely a wise investment but a treasure for the discerning collector's vault.
Vintages such as 2008 cement the reputation of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti as custodians of some of Burgundy's most lauded terroirs. Furthermore, the wine's evolution places it among solid choices for both immediate gratification and further cellaring potential.
In summary, the distinct allure of the 2008 Romanée-Conti from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti lies in its contradictory journey from challenge to triumph - presenting an opportunity for investors to hold a slice of vinous resilience exemplified. With each swirl and sip, this nectar reaffirms its place within an intelligently curated portfolio.
Market price (HKD)
HK$1,987,300.00
12x75cl
Highest score
97
POP score
12229.41
Scores and tasting notes
The 2008 Romanee-Conti is a seamless, totally symmetrical wine. I am not sure where the RC starts and ends, it is simply an an all-encompassing wine. With time in the glass, hints of menthol and tar emerge, adding complexity to a deep core of fruit that continues to turn darker in the glass. The 2008 is an implosive, inward wine graced with breathtaking elegance and finesse. Anticipated maturity: 2028-2048. tasted the 2008s in bottle in late June 2011 after having gone through the 2010s from barrel. Aubert de Villaine describes 2008 as a difficult vintage with a lot of rain. Botrytis was an issue and the vineyards required constant attention. On September 14 the weather changed dramatically. A steady north wind dried out the grapes and concentrated sugars quickly, which also reduced the size of the berries. A further selection of fruit lowered yields to an even greater extent, resulting in overall production that is as much as 50% lower than normal for the Domaine. As for the wines, they are magnificent in my view, but will require considerable patience. Importer: Wilson-Daniels, St. Helena, CA; tel. (707) 963-9661
Antonio Galloni - The Wine Advocate, 29 September 2011