Domaine Romanée Conti (DRC) - La Romanée Conti 1978

Tasting note: Domaine de la Romanée-Conti - La Romanée-Conti 1978

Appearance

An elegant, translucent garnet red with amber-coloured glints on the rim - a testimony to mature noblesse. Despite being 46 years old, the colour radiates an unexpected vitality, surrounded by delicate reflections like old gold. The slowly trickling "tears" reveal a still dense texture.

Nose

A bouquet of hypnotic depth that slowly unfolds: dried blueberries, plum jam and a pinch of orange peel combine with tertiary aromas of truffle, damp moss and cedar chest. Underneath, a refined spicy note of cardamom, old vanilla wood and a hint of smoke resonates. Delicate floral reminiscences - wilted rose petals and violets - and a mineral underpinning reminiscent of freshly polished flint unfold with air.

Flavour

The palate reveals a symphony of maturity and precision. The silky tannins are fully woven into the structure, carried by a lively but never intrusive acidity. Layers of flavour of candied cherries, black tea, marzipan and a hint of balsamic vinegar unfold harmoniously. Nuances of leather, tobacco leaves and a subtle umami depth shimmer in between, as if you were savouring a spoonful of reduced game stock. The terroir makes itself known with a cool minerality - chalk and liquid granite - and lends the wine an almost architectural clarity.

Finish

The finish is of breathtaking length and elegance. Flavours of roasted coffee, bitter almond and a delicate bitterness reminiscent of dark chocolate persist for minutes. The mineral character dominates at the end, accompanied by a floating sweetness, like the echo of a carillon in a cathedral.

Overall judgement

The 1978 La Romanée-Conti is a wine that transcends time and space. It combines the power of the great 1978 Burgundy vintage with the delicate grace of the Vosne-Romanée terroir. Despite its maturity, it appears lively, almost timeless - proof of the DRC's alchemical mastery. Here, intensity and lightness merge into a work that is no longer perceived as a wine, but as a work of art.

Score: 99/100
Drinking maturity: At its absolute peak - still potentially long-lasting for decades, but why wait?

Drinking recommendation:
Serve at 15-16°C in large Burgundy glasses, decant carefully to separate deposit. Perfect as a contemplation wine or accompanied by dishes such as venison fillet with cranberry jus, truffle pearl barley or a mature Comté cheese. Every sip is an invitation to meditation.

"A wine that is not drunk, but celebrated - the essence of Burgundy in its purest form."