Domaine de la Romanée Conti

The history of Domaine de la Romanée Conti

Louis-François de Bourbon, Prince de Conti (1717-1776) acquired Romanée in 1760, and on his death it passed into the hands of his son Louis-François-Joseph (1734-1814), Prince de Conti and Comte de La Marche. The steamroller of the French Revolution dispossessed the prince, who died in exile in Spain, while his vineyard was sold as "national property". Despite successive changes of ownership, La Romanée will never cease to add its name to that of the Conti family.

Since the late 19th century, Domaine de la Romanée Conti has belonged to the Gaudin de Villaine family. The company that manages the estate was founded in 1942 by Edmond Gaudin de Villaine. Today', it is co-managed, for their heir family, by co-heir winegrowers Aubert de Villaine and Perrine Fenal.

The Domaine de la Romanée Conti vineyard

Historical documents attest to the presence of vines on the land not yet called Romanée Conti for at least 2000 years. The Romans, then the Gallo-Romans, had already understood the value of the Côtes de Beaune and de Nuits.

Most of the Domaine de la Romanée Conti vineyards are located in Vosne-Romanée, on the route des Grands Crus, in the Côte de Nuits part of the Burgundy vineyards. Clos de la Romanée-Conti represents one of the world's most mythical and prestigious Grands Crus.

These exceptional lands are planted with both red and white grands crus. Domaine de la Romanée Conti produces a total of 8 Burgundy Grands Crus: Romanée-Conti, La Tâche, Richebourg, Romanée Saint Vivant, Grands-Échezeaux, Échezeaux, Montrachet and Corton.

The wines of Domaine de la Romanée Conti

Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Échézeaux - Rouge

Les Échézeaux is one of the 8 Grands Crus of the Vosne-Romanée commune. Its excellence lies, among other things, in its unrivalled structure. The wine comes from a limestone soil of great diversity. Les Échézeaux is the least complex of the Domaine de la Romanée Conti wines, but that doesn't mean it's facile or even simple. Its freshness and suppleness are exemplary. The wine is characterized by perfect balance and sublime fruitiness. The palate is exceptionally full-bodied.

Domaine de la Romanée Conti - Montrachet Grand Cru Blanc

Domaine de la Romanée Conti's Montrachet Grand Cru Blanc stands at the crossroads of two excellences, that of an estate and that of a terroir. Montrachet's terroir consists of gently sloping soil, mostly limestone, which ensures excellent drainage. The microclimate enjoyed by the Chardonnay vines making up this exceptional Grand Cru is particularly mild.

The wine has a sumptuous golden color, enhanced by emerald highlights. Over time, the color becomes more intense. The nose evokes ferns and dried fruit. There are also hints of butter and honey. The wine is balanced, smooth and deep. It expresses its harmony with gentleness, yet retains a strong character.