1996 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Montrachet

Domaine de la Romanee-Conti is unquestionably Burgundy’s most famous estate, and among serious oenophiles, it may be the most famous wine estate in the world. Its Grand Cru Pinot Noirs and one Chardonnay regularly command some of the highest prices for any wine produced anywhere in the world, and according to many reviewers the wines are generally celestial. Though its history is complicated, the domaine is now owned by several long-time Burgundy families, with some owners holding just a very few shares. The 62.5 acres of vineyard owned by the domaine are planted to Pinot Noir and a small amount of Chardonnay. The wines produced are Grands Echezeaux, Echezeaux, Romanee-St.-Vivant, Montrachet, Richebourg, Romanee-Conti, and La Tache. Of the Pinot Noirs, the rarest is the Romanee-Conti, with an annual production of only 450 cases. The most plentiful, theoretically, is La Tache, produced in quantities of about 1,900 cases annually.

Le Montrachet is renowned as one of the world’s truly extraordinary Chardonnay vineyards. Along with its three neighboring vineyards, Chevalier-Montrachet, Batard-Montrachet and Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet, Le Montrachet is a highly prestigious Grand Cru. Though Le Montrachet is usually associated with the Puligny-Montrachet appellation, almost half the famous vineyard lies in the Chassagne-Montrachet appellation just to the south. Le Montrachet is a 20-acre vineyard located on a steep, southern and southeastern slope at 260 meters above sea level. The soil is limestone and clay mixed with pebbles. The drainage is excellent and it is considered an ideal vineyard site. Until the French Revolution the vineyard was owned by a single family. Today the largest landholders are Marquis de Laguiche (whose wines are vinifed and marketed by Joseph Drouhin) with 5 acres; Baron Thenard (wines sold by Roland Remoissenet et Fils) 4.5 acres; and Bouchard Pere et Fils, 2.2 acres.

This white variety originated in Burgundy, but is now grown around the world. Its flexibility to thrive in many regions translates to wide flavor profile in the market. Chardonnay is commonly used in making Champagne and sparkling wines.