Flights of DRCs

Had the opportunity to taste a flight of DRCs thanks to an invitation from a friend. Apologies in advance for brief notes based on what i could recall.

🤍 Whites

Hautes Côtes de Nuits Blanc Abbaye de St-Vivant 2018

Not quite what I was expecting. This leans tropical and generous with ripe pineapple, yellow peach, and creamy citrus, with a subtle honeyed edge. There’s texture and warmth rather than tension. Solar, almost exotic profile. Good white, but stylistically further from the usual DRC whites. Would like a bit more acidity. (Drink)

Corton Charlemagne 2022 👍

first tasting of the latest vintage. Textbook precision. Saline, chalky minerality, layered with citrus and white flowers. Focused and restrained rather than opulence. With some age, this might be better than the 20 and 19. Hopefully no bottle variations for this vintage. (Hold)

🍷 Reds

Corton 2018 👍

Broad yet refined. IMO, post ‘16 Corton are catching up with its DRC status. Dark cherry, crushed rock, and earthy spice. Muscular, serious structure. (Hold)

Richebourg 2009 👍

Silky, sensual, and deeply expressive. Sweet red and black fruits, exotic spice, and that unmistakable Richy plushness. Despite the ripe vintage, it retains freshness and drive. (Drink or hold)

Grands Échezeaux 2018 (Magnum) 👍

Dark fruits, savoury spice, and deep mineral tones, fine tannins. Built for the long haul, even for 75cl imo. (Hold)

La Tâche 2016

Dark. Beautiful aromatics of spice, earthy, and crushed roe. The palate is tightly wound, layered, and structured. Clearly great, but still holding back much of its soul. I do find 18 LT to be abit more enjoyable. (Hold)

Romanée St Vivant 2015 👍

Still my favourite GC outside the monopoles. Aromatically breathtaking of rose petal, sandalwood, spice, and sweet red fruit. The palate is silky, weightless yet persistent. Despite the vintage and age, surprisingly pleasant to drink now. (Drink or hold)

La Tâche Grand Cru 2005 👍

Haunting nose from the first pour. Stem, spice, incense, and dark florals, but with a structured palate. Long finish but i feel that most 05 drc needs a bit more age. (Hold)

Romanée Conti 2009 🔥

grand finale. Infant yes but an absolute treat. Explosive, intoxicating florals, sweet spice, and pure red fruit. On the palate, it’s delicate, weightless, and elegant, despite the ripe vintage, but retains the power, complexity and concentration that is rather singular. Is it MUCH btr than La tache? Nope, especially when u consider the price of admission and i find LT to be more consistent, young or aged. But it’s a wine that makes u rethink what a perfect Pinot Noir could be, especially if you’ve tried many other burgundies. (Hold)

A disclaimer in advance- based on previous comments on reddit, i uds that these are not what many would drink (or ar least on a regular basis), myself included. Just wish to share what i like based on those that i had and whats worth seeking for special occasion. All DRCs are great but i do have preference for what I seek especially if budget is a concern – RSV (middle ground, a step up from GE/E most of the time and priced almost the same in open market) and La Tache (a fraction of the price to RC, more consistent and a proper step up into DRC monopoles). My recent experience with aged richy been great so I would recommend exploring after trying RSV and LT. However, at the end of the day, we have different palate and preference so these are just my humble opinion. Cheers 🥂