Domaine de la Romanée Conti

History of Domaine de la Romanée Conti  

The history of Domaine de la Romanée Conti spans several centuries, bearing witness to Burgundy's rich winemaking heritage. The estate takes its name from Prince Louis François de Bourbon Conti, who acquired the plot in the 18th century and added his name to it, marking the start of a legend.  

However, it was in 1869 that the estate entered a new era of prosperity when Jacques Marie Duvault Blochet became its owner. A renowned wine merchant and vintner, Duvault Blochet realised a lifelong dream by acquiring this exceptional vineyard. From this acquisition, the de Villaine family, descendants of Duvault Blochet, have ensured the continuity of the estate. Later, in 1942, the Leroy family became co owners, adding a new chapter to the estate's familial history and management.  In the 1970s, Lalou Bize-Leroy, former co-owner of the estate and founder of the famous Domaine d'Auvenay in 1988, played a key role in the international renown of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti thanks to her commitment to quality.

Today, Domaine de la Romanée Conti is still jointly owned by the descendants of Jacques Marie Duvault Blochet and the Leroy family. The current leadership, under Aubert de Villaine and Perrine Fenal, maintains the estate's family management, prioritising excellence and respect for tradition.

Terroirs and Vines of Domaine de la Romanée Conti  

Domaine de la Romanée Conti covers a total of around 27.35 hectares, exclusively consisting of grand cru vineyards. The terroir is the cornerstone of the success of these wines. The Romanée Conti vineyard, barely 1.8 hectares, rests on soil rich in clay and limestone, providing this wine with an incomparable minerality and structure. This ideal location benefits from a southeast exposure, ensuring a slow and even ripening of the grapes.  

The estate's philosophy is based on absolute respect for the soil and nature. The vines are cultivated according to strict organic farming principles, with a transition to biodynamics that began in 2007. The estate's winemakers view each plot as a living entity requiring careful attention to express its full potential. The soils are ploughed by horse to preserve their structure, and chemical treatments are avoided in favour of natural preparations.  

The grape variety used is exclusively Pinot Noir for red wines, while the Chardonnays from the estate produce an exceptional Montrachet, renowned for its elegance and complexity.

Winemaking at Domaine de la Romanée Conti  

Winemaking at Domaine de la Romanée Conti reflects a philosophy that advocates simplicity and respect for natural cycles. The grapes are harvested by hand with meticulous care, and each bunch is sorted to retain only the healthiest fruit. The grapes are not destemmed, or only minimally, to preserve the finesse of the tannins and the wine's natural structure.  

The wines are aged in new French oak barrels supplied by the François Frères cooperage. These barrels, made from century old oak trees from forests such as Tronçais, provide a subtle addition of tannins without overwhelming the wine.  

The ageing process lasts between 16 and 20 months, during which the wines develop their aromatic depth and structure. The exclusive use of new oak gives the wines complexity and exceptional ageing potential. Finally, after several years of maturation in the cellar, the wines reach a fullness that makes them legendary.

The Cuvées of Domaine de la Romanée Conti  

Domaine de la Romanée Conti produces several grand cru cuvées of unparalleled quality, each representing a unique expression of the Vosne Romanée terroir:

La Romanée Conti: The estate’s namesake and crown jewel, produced from a 1.81 hectare monopole. This wine is often described as one of the world’s greatest reds, with unmatched finesse and aromatic complexity. Its bouquet, which evolves over time, offers notes of red fruit, wilted roses, and spices.  

La Tâche: Another grand cru monopole, covering 6.06 hectares, La Tâche is a wine that is both powerful and elegant. Its firm tannins and impressive structure give it long ageing potential. It is a wine of character that reveals its full splendour after several years of ageing.  

Richebourg: Spanning 3.51 hectares, this grand cru is noted for its richness and firmness. Often compared to a musketeer, it has contained strength and robustness that blossom over time.  

Romanée Saint Vivant: Produced on 5.29 hectares, this grand cru is a seductive wine where grace and power are perfectly balanced. Beneath its apparent elegance lies great depth.  

Grands Échézeaux: This grand cru of 3.53 hectares is more complex than its neighbour, Échézeaux. It expresses power and subtlety, making it comparable to the greatest Burgundy wines.  

Échézeaux: Covering 4.67 hectares, this grand cru is often the most accessible and earliest drinking of the estate's wines. It charms with its tenderness and clarity of expression.  

Montrachet: In white, the estate produces a Montrachet Grand Cru on 0.67 hectares, considered one of the greatest white wines in the world. It is of unparalleled complexity and elegance, with remarkable power and minerality.

Corton: Since 2009, the domaine has also owned plots on the Corton hillside, producing wines in the Corton, Corton-Bressandes, Corton-Clos-du-Roi and Corton-Renardes appellations. These cuvées, renowned for their elegance and power, complete the exceptional collection. 

Corton-Charlemagne: This Chardonnay grand cru is one of the most prestigious in Burgundy, with a worldwide reputation for its perfect balance of freshness, power and complexity. Its limestone terroir gives this wine great minerality and exceptional ageing potential.

Certain vintages from Domaine de la Romanée Conti are particularly sought after by enthusiasts and collectors. Some examples of exceptional vintages include 1945, 1962, 1978, 1985, 1990, 1999, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2020. Each vintage brings its own uniqueness, influenced by the year’s climatic conditions, offering unforgettable tasting experiences.  

Burgundy is home to many great wine estates, each with its own specificities and terroirs. Among the legendary names to explore are Domaine Leroy, Domaine d’Auvenay, Domaine Roumier, and Domaine Armand Rousseau. Like Domaine de la Romanée Conti, these estates share a passion for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, carefully cultivated on exceptional terroirs.

Domaine de la Romanée Conti is far more than just a vineyard. It is a monument of global winemaking heritage, where each vintage is the expression of a unique terroir and ancestral expertise. For lovers of fine wines, the estate’s cuvées represent the pinnacle of Burgundian excellence. Whether you are a collector or an avid wine enthusiast, every bottle of Romanée Conti promises an unforgettable sensory experience.