La Tache 2009 Domaine de la Romanee Conti

Tasting Note La Tache 2009

Initially, nuances of black cherry and raspberry are detectable, followed by hints of violet, with a base of earthier notes, such as damp forest leaves and a subtle truffle aroma, lingering in the background. New oak barrels lend the wine a spicy character rather than sweetness. On the palate, the La Tâche 2009 is a well-aged, full-bodied wine; delicate tannins envelop the entire mouth, while acidity prolongs the finish. The finish reveals a tingling spiciness rather than sweetness. While the wine is ready for tasting, the earthy and mushroom notes are clearly still developing.

Grape Varieties

Only Pinot Noir. In the La Tâche, it brings nuances of red fruit and floral aromas, with moderate tannins, allowing all the variations in the terrain to be felt.

Cellaring Potential

The wine just started to show all of its quality. It is best served after being decanted for a couple of hours and brought to a temperature of 16-18 °C. It will develop its full quality in a couple of years (2026+) and will last until at least 2050.

About Domaine de la Romanee Conti

Every vineyard of Domaine de la Romanee Conti is classified Grand Cru. There are no Village or Premier Cru vineyards, the one exception being Cuvee Duvault-Blochet, an occasional bottling from young vines and casks left out of the final blends. Around 25 hectares in total: Romanee-Conti and La Tache are monopoles, owned outright, alongside shares in Richebourg, Romanee-Saint-Vivant, Echezeaux and Grands Echezeaux, plus Montrachet and leased Corton and Corton-Charlemagne plots over in the Cote de Beaune. Pinot Noir for the seven reds, Chardonnay for the whites, grown from vine selections traced back to the Romanee-Conti vineyard itself. Soil is tilled by hand or with horses, and the estate went fully biodynamic in 2007, without putting a certification logo on the bottle. Yields sit at 20 to 30 hectolitres per hectare where 42 is permitted.

Terroir & Climate

La Tâche sits in the commune of Vosne-Romanée, bordering La Grande Rue to the north and Vosne-Romanée premier cru vineyards to the east, south and west on 6.062 hectares of land composed of brown limestone and clay. Thanks to this soil composition, the wine offers a complex, multi-layered flavor profile rather than a monotonous one. The limestone forms a firm, mineral-rich backbone, while the clay retains moisture and enriches the mid-palate. Grand Cru status came in 1936. Because Côte de Nuits has a cool, continental climate, the Pinot Noir grapes here ripen slowly, and this slow maturation process preserves the delicate aromas.

Winemaking

The grapes are placed in open wooden vats still on the stems and fermented using the natural yeast present on the grapes. The stems add a spicy flavor and a slightly savoury grip that can be detected throughout the La Tâche. Aging takes place in new oak barrels, and since the wine is bottled unfiltered, it is normal for a small amount of sediment to be present. The yield is limited to 20-30 hectoliters per hectare, compared to the 42 permitted by Grand Cru regulations, and in some years, it may fall below 20. The soil is tilled by hand or with horses.

Food Pairing

Game is the obvious choice. When paired with saddle of venison or wild duck, the wine's earthy notes harmonize beautifully with the rich flavors of the meat. Bœuf bourguignon is also a great match, as the rich flavors of this slow-cooked dish harmonize with the wine's deep, savory character.

• Morels with cream, or porcini risotto
• Roast chicken with truffles tucked under the skin
• Époisses, a local washed-rind cheese

Many people enjoy La Tâche on its own.