Wine Asylum

So what does a bottle of Domaine de la Romanee Conti taste like?

76.31.81.214

jimbill

Just a good year...

Is it a big, rich, thick pinot noir or is it a translucent, (rose' via cabernet sauvignon) delicate wine?

I'm not trying to make fun. I'll probably never get to taste one because of the outrageous cost. But I do know there is a sharply decreasing value vs. cost ratio. I'm just want to get a point of reference.

Follow Ups:

RE: So what does a bottle of Domaine de la Romanee Conti taste like? - jsm 12:45:43 03/15/09 (1)
First, the DRC owns a variety of vineyards and sections of vineyards that can produce a large range of wines in a single year. Second, different years produce different wines from the same vineyard. There is no general answer to such a general question. Some are superbly rich, even opulent, while others I have tasted are relatively washed out and, while nice to drink, not particularly memorable. At their best they can be unforgettable. The bouquet is really as wonderful as the taste at their best.
A quick story of tasting a top DRC Burgundy. A wine shop in Palo Alto features wine tastings every day it is open, and lot of the the time Burgundies are involved. I went in once with my wife when they had DRC La Tache for tasting. It was $28 a taste, and I said I was going to get a glass. My wife said I was crazy, how could I spend that much just to taste a wine. I got a glass, she smelled it, sipped it, and immediately exclaimed" we have to buy some of this!" I said that it was $225 a bottle (this was a while back), and she said she didn't care, this was it was all about when it came to wine, and we should get at least three bottles. I couldn't bring myself to do it, though she was right. When you drink a wine like that, you really know what all the fuss about wine can be about. It wasn't just incrementally better. On the the hand, I can enjoy a lot of Burgundies and Pinots a lot less exalted, as lesser wines can have a lot to offer as well.
I don't know where you live, but if isn't near a big urban area, you probably don't have much opportunity to go to fine wine tastings. They are your best bet for tasting really expensive wines. If you splurge on an expensive bottle of DRC, you may be very disappointed. There is a big range in them, and I have had many Burgundies costing less than $40 that I preferred to some DRC wines. Also top DRC wines from top years really need many years in the bottle to show their stuff. Finally, I have known many people who, being used to California and Oregon Pinots, are not that fond of French Burgundies. What you are used to can affect your tastes in wine.
Joe

Edits: 03/15/09
- Sort of what I was looking for. - jimbill 14:06:25 03/16/09 (0)
  Yes, I know about DRC, just never got a chance to try them. I've had some first growths, as well as an d'Yquem. Back in the early 80's when I worked in a wine shop DRC's were pretty much the highest priced wines on the racks, so we never pooled our bucks to try one. Pity. Also still regretting not trying the Petrus.
  
  In my original post I used the word "good". So I assumed it would be interpreted as an above average year.
A couple of books about wine... - mkuller 14:50:31 03/07/09 (3)
...I would recommend which will tell you those sorts of things in a way which will make you want to go out and taste every wine he talks about by Jay McInerney.

Bacchus and Me
Hedonist in the Cellar

He was a novelist who became a travel writer who then became a wine writer. Light-hearted and humourous, he rubs elbows with some of the greatest wine makers in the world a describes his experiences in a unique way.

For example, in discussing Oregon pinot noirs, he visits Domain Drouhin and describes two of their pinots in detail and then says - "This one is like Eric Clapton doing a cover of a blues song, but this one is his Layla."

Highly recommended.
- Jay McInerney on Wine (Open in New Window)
- Looking for an "every man" opinion. - jimbill 22:30:00 03/07/09 (2)
  Just somebody who had a chance to try one and can give an opinion.
  
  Not a professional or writer. Someone who drinks $15-$60 bottles of wine.
  - I'm not sure that's a wine "every-man" drinks...(nt) - mkuller 09:54:07 03/09/09 (1)
    (nt)
    - Exactly. - jimbill 10:33:23 03/09/09 (0)
      But somebody out there is drinking them, and hopefully have some less wealthy friends that can share the experience.
      
      I'm just looking for a comparison between really good attainable wine vs. stratospheric wine.

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