DRC Assortment Case 1998 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (12 BT)

DRC Assortment Case 1998

Romanée Conti 1998 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (1 bt)

La Tâche 1998 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (3 bts)

1 slightly scuffed vintage neck label

Richebourg 1998 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (2 bts)

Romanée St. Vivant 1998 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (3 bts)

Grands Echézeaux 1998 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (1 bt)

Echézeaux 1998 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (2 bts)

All levels into the neck, packed in a 12-bottle original wooden case, banded prior to inspection

In December 2000, Aubert de Villaine wrote: “Never have I seen a more slowly evolving vintage but we are optimistic - the colors are beautiful, the aromas are enticing and there is a lovely fruit with the eyes yet to open.”

Aubert de Villaine had a reason to be optimistic about this profound, complex vintage at the Domaine. The cause of the ‘slow start’ was the prolonged ‘élevage’, with malolactic fermentation taking up to 12 months as opposed to the usual 3-6 months. Only a single racking took place just before June 2000 and this was done by hand, cask by cask, with the wines falling quite naturally bright and clear. This is another manifestation of the Domaine’s Haute Couture approach. Will the wines turn out like the 1952s? That is a tall order, but it is not inconceivable. Serena Sutcliffe, MW

12 bts (owc)