Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, Montrachet Grand Cru 2011

The Montrachet was picked on 6 September at a respectable 37.1hl/ha. Lucid in colour, perhaps a little deeper than expected, it has a multi-faceted nose that you have to monitor over one hour. Hints of almond and butterscotch emerge at first, then salted caramel, pralines and peach skin. It is mercurial and utterly alluring. The palate is intense on the entry and immediately expresses a sense of vitality and tension. This Montrachet is suffused with great weight in the mouth with subtle touches of orange peel, almond and hazelnut that ebb with time. It mellows in the glass but never dispensing with one iota of tension, yet seeming if anything to gain in volume. This epitomizes great Montrachet. 265 cases produced. Drink 2016-2030+.

Tropical fruit, butter and marzipan notes are all accentuated in the 2011 Montrachet. A hint of classic reduction adds freshness to balance out the wine’s natural richness and opulence. All things considered, the 2011 is drinking beautifully now, but will probably mature a bit faster than some of the surrounding vintages. Today, it is quite expressive. Tasted at the 2016 DRC presentation in New York. Tasted at the DRC Montrachet charity event in New York.