La Tâche - Domaine de la Romanée Conti

Wine Advocate

95 / 100

byNeal Martinthe4/30/2015

Tasted at the La Tâche vertical at The Square. The La Tâche 1990 sports a deep garnet core with brick rim. The palate is obviously from a relatively warm Burgundy vintage and delivers a surfeit of ripe, juicy and powerful red fruit infused with black truffle, leather and mint, with time a touch of rose petals. It gains more and more delineation with time, though never quite achieves the clinical precision of the 1991. The palate is full-bodied and for La Tâche, quite sinewy with layers of intense, rounded, svelte red berry fruit with just a touch of piquancy. It has an enormous structure and undeniable presence, yet this bottle could not hold a torch to either the 1991 or the 1999 La Tâche. Aubert de Villaine himself commented that he prefers the 1991 La Tâche to the 1990 and I concur. This is a great La Tâche but now with 25-years on the clock, one wonders whether it is past its peak?

Wine Advocate

100 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe2/28/2002

I cannot think of a more profound, young red Burgundy tasted than DRC's 1990 La Tache. Although it still requires another 3-4 years of cellaring, it is incredibly endowed, with an extraordinary perfume of Asian spices as well as jammy black raspberries, cherries, and blackberries infused with smoke, toast, and dried herbs. Full-bodied, but ethereal, with layers of flavor, as well as mind-boggling delicacy and complexity, this youthful La Tache will be at its finest between 2004-2015.

Wine Advocate

99 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe8/31/1995

PRODUCTION: 2,006 cases. This gets my vote as the greatest La Tache after the 1978, and, hopefully, an even longer-lived and more complete wine. It is a candidate for the "wine of the vintage" in this highly esteemed Burgundy vintage. The saturated dark ruby/purple color is followed by a developing bouquet that only hints at what will eventually emerge. There is an extraordinary amount of black fruits in the nose, as well as a floral component, and that exotic, Asian spice/smoky scent that the DRC routinely obtains. The new oak takes a back seat to the exceptional quantity of fruit. Full-bodied, with noticeable ripe, sweet tannin, this expansive wine represents an extraordinary expression of Pinot Noir. In spite of the wine's structure, it is hard to resist drinking. The high extraction of flavor and structure suggest this wine will hit its apogee in 2-5 years and last for 15-20 years.

Wine Advocate

96 / 100

byRobert Parkerthe10/31/1992

The DRC believes their 1990 La Tache resembles a hypothetical blend of the 1985 and 1988. It possesses the dramatic, rich, opulent, black fruit character of the 1985, as well as the backbone and tannic structure of the 1988. This expansive, broad-shouldered wine exhibits an impressive dark ruby color, the tell-tale DRC fragrance of minerals, spices, black fruits, and toasty new oak, full-body, outstanding richness, multi-dimensional flavors, a layered texture, and, importantly, a smashingly long, intense finish. The new oak and tannin levels are noticeable, so plan to cellar this wine for 5-6 years. Anticipated maturity: 1997-2015+ .