Description
96 Points Allen Meadows
At 13 years of age, the once reserved nose is starting to come out of its shell as there is plenty of the hallmark spice and floral components of a classic LT. The big and generous flavors are an exercise in contrasts as they are at once round and rich while remaining wonderfully defined and precise with an intense minerality coming to the fore, all wrapped in a linear, palate staining and explosive finish. Even though this is still very much on the way up, the palate impression is entirely harmonious and the transparency and purity of expression are something to experience. In a word, magnificent and for my taste, I would continue to cellar this for up to another decade before starting to enjoy the ’06 LT from time to time.
94 Points Robert Parker Wine Advocate
Domaine de La Romanee-Conti’s 2006 La Tache possesses a sense of sheer density and a viscosity – by no means precluding energy – that go beyond the other wines in the Domaine’s current collection. Scents of bitter-sweet floral perfume, citrus oils, white pepper, peat, and black fruit distillates pungently, almost aggressively fill the nose. The marrow and beef gelatin aspect of this Pinot is salient, but is allied on a palpably tannic palate with similarly impressive concentrated cooked black fruits, dark mushroom stock, forest floor, smoky Lapsang tea, and licorice. For grip and power, too, this surpasses its stable mates. But a glance back at the Romanee-St.-Vivant suggests that you can’t have it all, and that this La Tache cannot approach that wine’s finesse or quite equal its mystery. Still, I suspect this will be worth following for at least two decades.
97 Points Wine Spectator
Featuring black currant, licorice and sandalwood aromas and flavors, this is very structured, powerful and intense. There’s also plenty of breed and finesse, coupled with a long aftertaste.