History of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
”Among the 100 wines which it is necessary to taste before dying”, selected by Decanter the British magazine specialist in the wine, three of the ten first would come from the Domaine of Romanée Conti.
Burgundy is one of the most complex wine areas in the world, a true “headache” of soils and pieces. A piece of 1,8 hectare is however pointed out through this puzzle, Romanée Conti from the Domaine de la Romanée Conti. Romanée Conti is a monopoly, i.e. it does belong it is cultivated, by one owner, the Domaine de la Romanée Conti. The monopoly mention appears on each label of this great vintage. However the Domaine de la Romanée Conti is not limited only to this exceptional wine, the Domaine produces other great vintages.
Located on the Côte de Nuits, the village of Vosne-Romanée is one of the most known villages of Burgundy. It is world-wild known, thanks to its 200 hectares which surround it on which the six great vintages grow: Richebourg, La Romanée, Romanée-Conti, Romanée Saint-Vivant, Grande Rue and La Tâche, which is also a monopoly of the Domaine de la Romanée Conti. The most famous of these vintages is the famous Romanée Conti, one of the most expensive and rarest wines of planet.
The Domaine de la Romanée Conti would find its origins at the Roman time. It has been exploited for the first time in 1232, the part of Romanée Conti changed of owner only nine times. The creation of this part of 1,8 hectare comes from the XVth century, and has been planted only in “pinot noir” by the monks of Saint-Vivant. It did not move from since time.
The monks went to seek the “pinot noir” in the forests of Burgundy, which was selected with great care. This part is located between Gevrey and Vougeot, on a fine clay ground, which one does not find in his neighbourhood. It looks towards the South in the direction of Richebourg. The natural drainage is perfect there.
At the XVIIth century, the nobility at the “cour” starts to be interested in the vineyard of Romanée. In 1760, prince Louis François of Bourbon-Conti and Mrs de Pompadour fought for the ownership of this field. Prince de Conti won and gave his name to the part of 1,8 ha: Romanée Conti. He will be owner from 1760 to 1793.
In 1869, Romanée Conti becomes the property of Mr Davault. In 1942, his grandson, Mr. de Villaine, became joint owner of this part with the Leroy family. The two families are associated exploit also other great vintages.
The vines of the part of Romanée Conti were entirely replanted in 1945, following the epidemic of will phylloxéra. No wine has been produced from 1946 to 1951.
The doamine de la Romanée Conti gathers 25 hectares of vineyards thus, mainly in the Côte de Beaune and the Côte de Nuits. The domaine produces each year 100.000 bottles. La Tâche (6,5 ha), Richebourg (3,51 ha), Grands Echezeaux (3,52 ha), Echezeaux (4,6 ha), Montrachet (54 ares), Vosne Romanée, Romanée Saint Vivant, Bâtard Montrachet and Romanée Conti (1,58 ha) consitute thus the Domaine de la Romanée Conti.
Because of the scarcity of Romanée Conti (6000 bottles per year) the owners have to sell these wines in a mixed 12 bottles case. This case contains a bottle of Romanée Conti and 11 other bottles among the other great vintages of the field (Echezeaux, Grands Echezeaux, La Tâche, Richebourg and Romanée Saint Vivant). The 3000 bottles of Montrachet produced on average each year are marketed separately. It also should be noted that the first vintages of the Domaine are marketed only in an exceptional way. In 1999, Vosne Romanée was marketed. The 12 wrought ones of Bastard Montrachet of the Domaine are however reserved for the personal consumption of the field.
The wines of the Domaine de la Romanée Conti are marketed only after three years. Everything is implemented to obtain wines of guard. Henry-Frederic Roch, joint manager of the Domaine with Aubert de Villaine, introduced the biodynamic culture for ten years on a few hectares. The vines are 30 to 40 years old on average and the vintage is made as late as possible. The wine resulting from the youngest vines is not assembled, but it is marketed near the trades of Burgundy. Sort grapes is made in the Domaine. The wines are out-of-date out of barrels of oak for 18 months.
Unforgettable wines combining power and softness…
