Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, or DRC for short, is Burgundy's most recognized and sought-after wine producer.
The estate has a long history, dating back to 1232. In 1760, the vineyard then known as La Romanée was purchased by Louis François, the Bourbon Prince of Conti, who affixed his title to the locale, henceforth known as Romanée-Conti.
Located in the village of Vosne-Romanée in Burgundy, the winery sells wines from eight different Grand Cru vineyards spanning the entire Côte d'Or. The most famous wines come from the eponymous Romanee-Conti vineyard and represent some of the most expensive wines in the world on average.
Scarcity is one of the key reasons why Romanee Conti wines are so expensive. On the secondary market, this wine can cost up to tens of thousands of dollars a bottle and consistently ranks at the top of Wine-Searcher's list of most expensive wines.
Featured Wines From Domaine de la Romanee-Conti:
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Wine Name
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Grape
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Critics Score
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DRC Romanée-Conti Grand Cru
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Pinot Noir
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98
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DRC La Tâche Grand Cru
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Pinot Noir
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97
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DRC Romanée-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru
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Pinot Noir
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95
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DRC Richebourg Grand Cru
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Pinot Noir
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96
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DRC Grand Échézeaux Grand Cru
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Pinot Noir
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95
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DRC Échézeaux Grand Cru
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Pinot Noir
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94
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DRC Montrachet Grand Cru
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Chardonnay
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96
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DRC Vosne Romanee Premier Cru Duvault Blochet
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Pinot Noir
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91
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Here are some characteristics based on historical reputation and the experience of wine critics. For the record, it is impossible to articulate the nuances and complexities of each wine. There is no alternative to experiencing these wines for yourself. If you are lucky enough to taste these wines, the advice is simple: drink them young, drink them old, and drink them anywhere in between.
Romaneé-Conti
This 1.81-hectare parcel in the DRC stands as the preeminent grand cru vineyard in Burgundy, crafting the Domaine's flagship wine at an annual yield of 5,000–6,000 bottles. Renowned for its intense and contemplative character, the wine exhibits remarkable complexity, a smooth texture, and an impressive lingering finish.
La Tâche
As the largest plot both in size and production, the 6.06-hectare La Tâche yields approximately 20,000 bottles each year. Positioned to the south of Romanée-Conti, it serves as the Domaine's second monopole vineyard. The wine produced here is known for its remarkably aromatic profile, featuring a captivating blend of violets and exotic spices. Generally, it tends to be more approachable in its early years compared to the Romanée-Conti.
Richebourg
Located just north of Romanée-Conti, Richebourg is considered to be the best non-monopole grand cru in Burgundy's Vosne-Romanée appellation, and DRC is its largest landowner, producing around 12,000 bottles per year from its 3.51 hectares. This wine is considered one of the most intense of the DRC wines, with powerful tannins and a structure well suited to age.
Romanée St. Vivant
The vines had been leased by DRC since 1966 and sold to the estate by the Marey-Monge family in 1988, making DRC the largest landowner at 5.29 hectares. With an annual production of 18,000 bottles, this is the most ethereal wine in the range, with a delicate, light, floral bouquet on the palate.
Grands Echézeaux
Located on relatively flat terrain to the southwest of Clos Vougeot, this vineyard produces broader, richer wines than its much larger neighbor, Echézeaux, and DRC, with 3.53 hectares of vines, is the largest landowner of the vineyard, producing about 14,000 bottles per year. Its wines are generally darker-fruited and more earthy than those from others.
Echézeaux
This vineyard stands as one of the expansive Grand Cru vineyards in Burgundy, bordered by Grands Echézeaux to the north and south. DRC, once again the primary landowner at 4.67 hectares, with annual production of about 16,000 bottles. The wine from this vineyard typically possesses a lighter body compared to Grands Echézeaux but shares similar "gamy" and "bramble fruit" characteristics.
Montrachet
With a size of 0.68 hectares and an annual production of about 3,000 bottles, Montrachet stands as the smallest vineyard of Domaine. It held the distinction of being the sole white wine released by the Domaine until the introduction of Corton-Charlemagne in 2019. Marked by unmistakable complexity, this wine is decadent and textured, exhibiting tremendous length, power, and a well-balanced acidity.
Vosne Romanee Premier Cru Duvault Blochet
Romanée-Conti released a new wine labelled Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru in 2002 – a premier cru from grand cru vineyards. A unique cuvee from the fruits of young vines of all the Grands Cru in memory of one of the founding ancestors of DRC. Lucid ruby colour. A simple perfumed nose of raspberry and violets. Good acidity with vibrant red cherries on the palate.
