2010 Romanee-Conti
By Domaine de la Romanee-Conti
2010 Romanée-Conti from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Burgundy
It is with a connoisseur's reverence that I draw focus to the 2010 Romanée-Conti from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, a year that saw the symphony of nature and nurture play out sublimely in the storied terroirs of Burgundy. A forbearer of opulence, this vintage carries the burdensome legacy of its forebears with notable aplomb and discreet individuality.
A Vintage Distilled
The year 2010 proved to be quintessentially Burgundian, characterised by its erratic climatic patterns that ultimately crafted wines of profound elegance and structured complexity. The growing season was nerve-wracking for vintners but culminated in a smaller yield of exceptionally concentrated grapes. The Romanée-Conti from that year presents an intricate composition, balancing power and poise through a lens of remarkable terroir expression.
Investment Worthy: A Refined Elixir
The finesse of this vintage should particularly captivate those with an eye for wine investments. The nuanced layers of dark berries, Asian spices, and earthy undertones evolve into a kaleidoscope of ethereal perfumes upon aeration – attributes that anchor the 2010 Romanée-Conti's position as one of wine collecting’s pinnacle aspirations.
Indeed, the palate reflects the perfume, offering a well-defined structure attended by silken tannins and an enduring, minerally finish. Vitality and precision are the hallmarks here; qualities readily sought after by connoisseurs desiring to elevate their portfolios with such a storied bottle.
Concluding my reflection on the 2010 Romanée-Conti from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, it bears stating that this effervescent elixir is poised gracefully atop its peak today, yet promises further maturation rewards for those patient enough to allow its narrative to unfold. It stands as a testament to Burgundian subtleties, encapsulating an investment appeal paralleled by its sensory magnificence – a truly sophisticated selection for any discerning collector.Market price (HKD)
HK$2,034,890.00
12x75cl
Highest score
98
POP score
11826.67
Scores and tasting notes
It’s fascinating to taste the 2010 Romanee-Conti. It is as if all of the preceding wines are subsets of the Romanee-Conti, but in the Romanee-Conti we find all of the qualities that make the other wines so distinctive in one marvelously complete Burgundy. Aromatics reminiscent of Romanee St. Vivant make an appearance, followed by the sweetness that can only be La Tache, then the structure of Richebourg, all wrapped into the total elusiveness of Romanee-Conti. I am reminded of my university studies in music. There are some compositions that are so profoundly moving because they only point out the futility in trying to truly understand them. Some things remain beyond the full grasp of the human intellect. Romanee-Conti is the vinous equivalent. Anticipated maturity: 2030-2060. I tasted the 2010s twice from barrel, once in the summer just as the wines were about to be racked and then again during my early December visit. On both occasions the wines were stellar. Like virtually all of his colleagues, co-manager Aubert de Villaine was surprised by the level of the 2010s given all of the challenges of the growing season. I could repeat everything de Villaine told me, but there is no better source than the man himself, so readers who want to learn more about the 2010 harvest may want to take a look at my interview with de Villaine on www.erobertparker.com. Overall, I am very impressed with the 2010s with the exception of the Corton, which appears to be a notch or two below the 2009. The 2010 that most greatly exceeds its appellation and historical level of quality is the Echezeaux. I also tasted the 2010 Vosne-Romanee Cuvee Duvault-Blochet but the domaine had not yet decided if the wine would be released. I will report on the 2009s in our April issue. Importer: Wilson-Daniels, St. Helena, CA; tel. (707) 963-9661
Antonio Galloni - The Wine Advocate, 22 December 2011
The 2010 Corton comes across as a bit light in this vintage. Attractive floral, spiced notes emerge from the glass in this perfumed, delicate wine. The Corton is pretty, but it is a clear notch or two below the rest of the wines in the lineup and is equally distant from the level of the thrilling 2009. The Corton is made in two vinifications, an old-vine cuvee and a young-vine cuvee. This blend was assembled about a week before I tasted it. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2030. I tasted the 2010s twice from barrel, once in the summer just as the wines were about to be racked and then again during my early December visit. On both occasions the wines were stellar. Like virtually all of his colleagues, co-manager Aubert de Villaine was surprised by the level of the 2010s given all of the challenges of the growing season. I could repeat everything de Villaine told me, but there is no better source than the man himself, so readers who want to learn more about the 2010 harvest may want to take a look at my interview with de Villaine on www.erobertparker.com. Overall, I am very impressed with the 2010s with the exception of the Corton, which appears to be a notch or two below the 2009. The 2010 that most greatly exceeds its appellation and historical level of quality is the Echezeaux. I also tasted the 2010 Vosne-Romanee Cuvee Duvault-Blochet but the domaine had not yet decided if the wine would be released. I will report on the 2009s in our April issue. Importer: Wilson-Daniels, St. Helena, CA; tel. (707) 963-9661
Antonio Galloni - The Wine Advocate, 22 December 2011