1986 DRC Domaine de la Romanée-Conti La Tâche Grand Cru

This sacred masterpiece needs no introduction. I was blown away by the purity and finesse to this; it was truly stunning, indulging every sense with intense dried flowers, spices and tobacco. On the palate it was medium-bodied with wonderful, fine tannins and a awe-inspiring finish. The sheer beauty on offer here from this DRC was sensational.

The nose is still quite tight, but exceptionally deep, with scents of raspberry, plum, cherry, exotic spices, duck, incipient autumnal tones, coffee, a very strong minerality, and a fine base of vanillin oak. The signature sweet fruit of mature La Tâche is still years away. On the palate this La Tâche is still quite buttoned up, but with tremendous power, an iron-like structure of acidity, firm tannins, a huge core of fruit for an ‘86, and a long, powerful peacock’s tail of a finish. This will be a fine La Tâche that transcends all but a few of the wines of the vintage, but it is still in need of serious bottle age.