Had dinner this evening with my folks. Dad's 65th birthday is coming up, and he had once said that he wanted to taste a Domaine de la Romanée-Conti wine some day. Back when he said it I picked up this bottle to share "in the future." The future was tonight. I made braised beef roast, and opened the wine about 45 minutes before dinner, keeping it at a cool serving temperature, and letting it open up over the course of the meal.
1998 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Richebourg
Immediately after opening I poured three small glasses (Dad, Mom and me - Laura doesn't do red wine...ok, more for us). Right out of the bottle it was magical, with lots of red fruit, new leather and spices. The depth and concentration on the nose was just amazing. Initially it was both tight and tannic on the palate, but the breed and class were completely apparent. Once dinner was served we kept taking small pours, letting the wine change in the glass. While the aromas and flavors did not change much they deepened and expanded, the wine taking on an even bigger, yet always elegant and regal, personality. It was clear what makes DRC wine special. The wine was a fantastic match with the beef, the richness of the slow braised meat setting off the richness of the wine. Every sip was better than the last. No disappointment here, but rather an experience that lived up to the hype and augmented the occasion.
But only five years more? Not having tasted any older Richebourgs (only RSV and La Tâche), I can't say anything for sure, but I'm surprised if it is mature then.
