2011 La Tache
By Domaine de la Romanee-Conti
2011 La Tache from Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, Burgundy, France
Amid the landscape of Burgundy's esteemed crus, the 2011 La Tache from Domaine de la Romanee-Conti emerges with a tale of climatic challenge turned to triumph. The year 2011, pronounced for its early onset of bud break and flowering, followed by a vexing summer, set the stage for meticulous vineyard management and adept craftsmanship to yield wines of unexpected grace and complexity.
The Character of a Challenging Vintage
In confronting the peccadillos of the ‘11 growing season, Domaine de la Romanee-Conti channelled their illustrious expertise into cultivating a La Tache that resonates with investors and collectors alike. It dances deftly between poise and exuberance, belying the exigent conditions that marked its inception.
Provenance and Pedigree: A Vintner's Virtuosity
The vintage’s cooler spells endowed this Pinot Noir with a tension that juxtaposes its innate opulence—a hallmark of Domaine de la Romanee-Conti’s virtuosic touch. Layers of red fruit, namely cherries and plums, meld with whispers of violets and an encore of earthy minerality. These elements converge in a choreography only a La Tache of such origin can perform; seamless in its transition from nose to palate, ending in a prolonged symphony on the finish.
As with all things born of adversity, the 2011 La Tache illuminates investment portfolios not merely through its rarity but through the narrative of surviving—and indeed flourishing—under duress. Its resilience translates into an evolving character within the cellar that promises connoisseurs continual revelation over time.
A Sublimity Suited for Connoisseurship
The 2011 vintage stands as a testament to the symbiosis between terroir and human tenacity. For those invested in the alchemy of wine—the intimate dance between nature and nurture—the 2011 La Tache from Domaine de la Romanee-Conti presents an alluring study. Its story is woven into each sip; a tapestry of Burgundy’s climatic caprice, tended by hands devoted to crafting legacy within each bottle. Such is the nature of wise investments in the world of fine wines—it is not merely about ownership but participation in history’s unfolding.
Market price (GBP)
£45,910.00
12x75cl
Highest score
95
POP score
3060.67
Scores and tasting notes
The La Tache 2011, picked on 5 and 6 September at 27.49hl/ha, has a wonderful bouquet that is quintessential La Tache: very complete and harmonious, beautifully delineated, succinct at first then with aeration, blossoming with brambly red berries, apple blossom, minerals and a touch of sous-bois. The palate is medium-bodied with immense purity and delicacy on the entry. This La Tache is extremely focused, velvety smooth in the mouth and although not as complex as the 2010, it has a beguiling femininity that will seduce at ten paces. It is extremely long in the mouth but politely does not outstay its welcome. Divine. 1,514 cases produced. Drink 2017-2040.
Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 26 February 2014