Domaine de la Romanee Conti

Domaine de la Romanée Conti

Domaine de la Romanée Conti (also known as DRC), is co-owned by two families: de Villaine and Leroy/Roch. The de Villaine family are successors to J-M. Duvault-Blochet, who bought the vineyard of La Romanée Conti in 1869. The Leroy/Roch families acquired the shares of other descendants of Duvault-Blochet in 1942.

At this moment Aubert de Villaine and Henri-Frédéric Roch are in charge of the domaine. Most of their holdings are situated in the villages of Vosne-Romanée and Flagey-Echézeaux, including: La Romanée Conti (Monopole), La Tâche (Monopole), Richebourg, Romanée St.-Vivant, Grands Echézeaux and Echézeaux. All these vineyards are Grands Crus and the domaine is the largest owner of them. They also own small plots of Le Montrachet and Bâtard-Montrachet. 

La Romanée Conti Grand Cru (1.81 Ha): Replanted in 1947-48, with the first new vintage being made in 1952. The former Cros des Cloux vineyard was renamed Romanée in the 17th century, with Conti being added after it was purchased by the Prince de Condé (or Conti) in 1760. He wanted the very best and kept it only for his own use. Wine writers and critics across the centuries have singled out La Romanée Conti as Burgundy’s greatest vineyard.  La Romanee Conti is a Monopole.

La Tâche Grand Cru (6.06 Ha): The domaine acquired most of the 6.06 Ha of La Tâche in 1933, completing the vineyards by exchanging small plots in Les Gaudichots. It is a more flamboyant wine than La Romanée Conti but needs a minimum of 10 years for all its aspects, including the tannins, to integrate. La Tâche is a Monopole.

Richebourg Grand Cru (3.51 Ha): Just under half the vineyard (3.51 Ha out of 8.03 Ha) belongs to DRC, spread over several plots. The vines have an average of 50+ years old. Always a robust wine and quite deep in colour.

Romanée Saint-Vivant Grand Cru (5.29 Ha): The domaine’s holding covers 5.29 Ha in one single block. This formerly belonged to the Marey-Monge family, but was farmed and made by the domaine from 1966 and purchased by it in 1988. It is a beautifully refined and stylish wine which has perhaps more in common with La Romanée Conti itself than the more robust Richebourg.

Grands Echézeaux Grand Cru (3.53 Ha): The soil is influenced by the downwash from Le Musigny, above the vineyard. The wines have a little more flesh and are more consistent than Echézeaux. The holding lies at the northern end of the grand cru, adjacent to Clos de Vougeot

Echézeaux Grand Cru (4.67 Ha): Only very little topsoil above the hard limestone bedrock. The grapes always ripen easily. In occasional vintages it excels several of the other grands crus of the domaine.

Corton Grand Cru (2.27 Ha): Consists of the three best vineyards of the late Prince de Mérode (Bressandes, Renardes and Clos du Roi). Released as a single Corton Grand Cru by the domaine.

Vosne Romanée 1er Cru “Cuvée Duvault-Blochet” (0.60 Ha): Made from young vines and second crop  from the domaine’s grand cru vineyards, as well as small pieces of premier cru vineyards which they also own.

Le Montrachet Grand Cru (0.68 Ha): From 3 different plots on the Chassagne side of the vineyard. Usually the last to pick its grapes, retaining the necessary acidity. Really opulent and showing the true nature of this exceptional vineyard.

Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru (0.17 Ha): Only bottled for private purposes. Not commercially sold.

The Domaine de la Romanée Conti also produces Eau-de-Vie de Marc de Bourgogne, Fine de Bourgogne and exclusively for the restaurant “Lavinia” a Bourgogne Hautes-Côtes de Nuits Blanc.

In 2018 Romanee-Conti started leasing a 7-acre parcel of Corton-Charlemagne from the famous producer Domaine Bonneau du Martray. According to Aubert de Villaine he expects 2019 to be the first vintage of Domaine de la Romanée Conti - Corton Charlemagne which will be the second white wine of them that will be commercially sold.