In the early '90s I bought a mixed case of 1990 DRC from either Bassins or McArthurs, I forgot which. They were both selling the mixed cases for $2000. Seemed like a lot of money at the time, even for a wine obsessed person like me. Nonetheless I took the plunge. Forward all these years, and now I am going to be 70 next month, and my daughter and son-in-law are here visiting. Seemed like the right time to try one of the three la Tache bottles included in the case.
The ullage was incredibly high. If I hadn’t bought the wine myself on release I would have been suspicious. Popped and poured, the wine was still almost primary. Over the next ninety minutes it developed some, but still was much too early in its drinking curve. The depth of fruit and acid were in good balance, with both being profound. Even a small sip yielded an explosion of flavor. There was coffee, cherry, molasses, and of course Asian spices. Question is, will I live long enough to taste one in prime drinking time? Amazing a 26 year old wine could seem so young.
That is how I remember the wine and I had it in 1996-7. It still is for me the most incredible wine I’ve had. Seamless, pure and perfect, albeit primary.
I was not nearly as smart as you. I could have bought a few bottles for $175 per. I wasn’t into Burgundy as much then and I stupidly passed.
I’ll echo Victor’s sentiments and expect you will be able to enjoy the rest of that case in its prime.
The '90 La Tache is a fabulous wine (and especially well cellared bottles such as yours), but wait until you get to that mixed cases single bottle of '90 RC!
Great note. This was the specific wine that brought me totally into Burgundy. This was around 2002, and even though it was a youngster, I was gobsmacked. There was no turning back.
great wine that sat unsold for months on floors of various LA and OC wine stores. I bought it for $2000 also and even traded California reds for cases of it in 1993. Sounds like you really enjoyed it.
I remember seeing loose bottles in the straw in an OWB on the floor at Premier Cru sometime near release. Price: $300/bottle. I was a grad student at the time and didn’t even consider it. Sigh.
For my palate, it is drinking beautifully but still can improve. It is showing only a hint of sous bois.
1990 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti La Tâche- France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, La Tâche Grand Cru (12/4/2016) A small Burgundy gathering - 08 Coche CC, 90 La Tache, 78 DRC GE, 90 Rousseau & 91 Leroy Beaux Monts (The Grill Room at Rosewood DC): Pop and pour. Seasoned stems with a half ounce to an ounce. Perhaps the most youthful example that I had, similar to the bottle drank in June of 2014. Powerful youthful nose displaying intense blackberry and a hint of raspberry, licorice, dark spices and incense. Incredible concentration, layers upon layers of decadent blackberry, very energetic and precise and an incredible long finish. About two hours later, it finally starts to reveal its exotic nature, displaying Vosne spices, oolong tea, candied rose pedal, roasted coffee bean and liquid smoke. The palate also becomes more precise and detailed. It remains incredibly youthful. If cellared properly, this consistently flirts with perfection. (98 pts.)
1990 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti La Tâche- France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, La Tâche Grand Cru (4/16/2016) Weekend with Eddie - Part 2 (Bouley, NYC): For my palate, this flirts with perfection consistently and this is no exception. Expressive nose displaying perfectly ripe blackberry, also a hint of red cherry, Vosne spice, licorice, very floral, coffee beans, smoke, incense and stem. Incredible concentration, ripe black fruits, very precise and pure palate, unbelievably layered fruits, bright acidity, tannins are masked by opulent fruits and never ending finish. So intense yet perfectly pure and precise. Absolutely joy. (99 pts.)
1990 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti La Tâche- France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, La Tâche Grand Cru (2/4/2016) The 90 La Tache dinner also 05 Coche CC, 88 Krug and 01 Rousseau CSJ (Decanter restaurant, St. Regis): The 05 Coche Corton Charlemagne was a slight letdown and I am a bit nervous. Pop and pour, the cork is perfectly moist and elastic. Quick sniff at the bottle, the wine seems correct. A small pour to a Zalto burgundy, I am speechless and becoming very emotional. The nose is simply perfect, beguiling interplay of unbelievably complex tertiary notes and incredibly explosive perfectly ripe hedonistic pinot fruit. Everything that you look for in a perfect Burgundy is present in abundance, decadent black fruits, Vosne spices, sous bois, truffle, cornucopia of flowers, roasted coffee beans, licorice, liquid smoke, stem, perfume and incense to name a few. The palate is also perfect, intense, subtle, precise, fresh and energetic all at the same time. It is certainly ripe reflecting the 90 vintage but still remains perfectly fresh, precise and balanced. The finish is never ending. This is perfect now and will remain perfect at least for the rest of my life, transforming like the monumental 62. Truly an emotional and spiritually uplifting experience. From the same batch as the last bottle drank last year. (100 pts.)
1990 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti La Tâche- France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, La Tâche Grand Cru (7/21/2015) The 90 La Tache dinner (Washington D.C.): Excellent appearance. Pop and pour. Explosive nose displaying decadent black fruits, essence of blackberry and black cherry, a perfect cup of Kona, rose and lavender, so much Vosne spices that it is exotic and kinky, licorice, hoisin, stem, dark spices and sweet incense. This is certainly very ripe, clearly expression the vintage character, yet there is subtle freshness and precision. The stem inclusion really adds lovely complexity at this stage and keeps the impressive tension. The palate is fascinating in that as the wine touches the lips, the vosne spices and the most intense rose explode. The palate in perfect: incredibly intense yet airy and so darn silky, decadent almost kinky black fruit and Vosne spice driven palate impression, just the perfect amount of acidity, perfectly integrated tannins and incredibly long and perfectly seamless finish that ends with explosive Vosne spices. This is so perfect in incredibly youthful way but will improve for at least another couple decades gaining a bit more of sous bois and a bit more sweet raspberry fruits. The is no doubt that this will equal to the perfect 62. Just perfect in every way! Total sensory overload once again. The wine is so intense that the empty stem still remains explosive. Truly an emotional wine that will make a grown man cry. (100 pts.)
1990 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti La Tâche- France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, La Tâche Grand Cru (6/7/2014) La Tache dinner (The Boardl Room at Capella Hotel Georgetown): Most powerful and intense nose. Incredibly youthful nose displaying perfectly ripe red cherries, cherry tart, mint, licorice, hoisin, black tea, intense sweet dark spices and sweet incense. Infinite layers of fruits, contrasting the nose, the fruit is jammy black, also a mint, so much fruits that acidity and tannins are completely masked. The finish is extremely long. For me, the enjoyment comes from experiencing the greatness as it needs another decade to be ready. Total sensory overload. (99 pts.)
Gene,
I can’t really equate to any other wines except another La Tache like the 99 or 05. It will definitely be on my top 10. My top ten will include the 62 RC, 62 La Tache, 61 La Chapelle, 85 Jayer Cros Parantoux and etc.
