DRC Assortment, Domaine de la Romanée Conti 1999

*Romanee-Conti*- 99+ points
The vibrant, pure, spicy, distinctly floral and unusually high-toned nose introduces big, powerful and concentrated flavors that possess almost painful intensity. This brims with palate staining extract along with plenty of minerality yet it remains regal, almost aloof and quite reserved on the hugely long finish. The focus is unbelievable and while it's hard to speak of subtle power, one can sense the vibrancy and depths of reserve that are still only hinted at now even 17 years after the vintage. As seductive as the nose is and as awe-inspiring as the flavors are, the finish lasts literally for minutes, indeed I could still taste it the next day and I've noticed that this happens every time I am fortunate to have the '99. And, difficult as it is to believe, I'm beginning to think that my score is conservative as the word 'brilliant' hardly does this masterpiece justice, in fact 'OMG' is more like it! Try from 2024+

*Tache*- 99 points
Words remain inadequate to describe just how good this wine is as the '99 is a classic La Tâche in every respect with its incredibly pure, marvelously intense Asian spice box nose. There is terrific size, weight and richness to the enveloping flavors of hoisin and pure pinot extract that deliver indescribable complexity on the hugely long finish. The big tannins are completely wrapped in velvet and while they are by no means invisible, they are beautifully well-integrated, indeed the word seamless comes to mind. This is almost certainly destined to become one of the all-time great vintages of La Tâche. Moreover, among the many bottles that I have been blessed to have tried, I have never had one that was anything less than sensational. However, note well that the '99 LT is going to be a long-distance runner so a strategy of cellar and forget is strongly advised, at least for the next decade or so. Multiple, and consistent, notes. Try from 2024+

*Richebourg*- 96 points
This hasn't budged much since it was bottled and remains almost opaque with a notably ripe and gorgeously multidimensional nose of black cherries, spice and earth. The broad-shouldered and impressively scaled medium-weight-plus flavors are bold and overtly muscular while the finish retains a sense of robust power and stunning length. At age 17 the '99 Richebourg is clearly signaling that it's going to require 20 to 25 years to really be at its peak. At the same time, there is sufficient mid-palate sap to at least make it approachable sooner, perhaps in seven to 10 years. In my view 1999 is one of the great vintages for this fabled wine. Many, and consistent, notes save for one bottle that displayed an annoying amount of brett. Try from 2024+

*Romanee St Vivant- 94 points
A highly expressive nose of remarkably dense aromas featuring classic Vosne spice and crushed blackberries leads to full-bodied and very sappy medium-bodied flavors that display a terrific inner core of complexity and still more spice on the hugely long finish. The purity of extract displayed here is mind bending and this is unquestionably the finest DRC Romanée St.-Vivant in many a vintage. The '99 would appear to support the Domaine's contention that all the vineyard work they've done is paying off. A great vintage for this wine and it's very clearly still on the way up. For my taste while this could be drunk now with a great deal of pleasure it's still at least 5 years away from its full peak and 7 to 10 years is not out of the question. In sum I will not be opening the bottles that I own for several more years. Consistent and multiple notes. Try from 2021+

*Grands Echezeaux*- 95 points
While I had tasted this many times shortly after release, I hadn't had the chance to see it again since 2008 so it was nice to update my acquaintance. Though subtle, there is still a touch off oak framing the ripe and penetrating red and blackberry fruits and oriental spice aromas comprising the nose. There is outstanding power to the beautifully detailed and quite robust flavors that deliver excellent precision and persistence on the beautifully well-balanced finale. This is a big wine with richness, superb length and impressive refinement and it's clear that this will live for decades. In sum, this is very classy juice with plenty of upside development potential remaining. Drink: Try from 2024+

*Echezeaux*- 93 points
This beautiful effort is evolving glacially with its ripe but still exceptionally fresh nose of blackberries, plum oriental spice and soft earth notes. There is excellent phenolic maturity to the equally ripe, rich and relatively supple medium-bodied flavors that are still underpinned by notably firm tannins and really lovely acid/fruit balance on the beautifully long finish. This is still tight but not hard and there is good vigor, indeed even force behind this wine. The '99 is one of the better DRC Echézeaux in a long time and while it could be drunk now with pleasure I will continue to cellar my few bottles for another 4 to 7 years though I underscore that it will live effortlessly for years. Tasted several times recently with consistent notes. Try from 2021+