La Tâche
Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, France
La Tâche is one of the most resonant names in the world of wine. An appellation in its own right, this 6ha climat is one of four Vosne-Romanée Grands Crus which are monopoly-owned by Domaine de la Romanée-Conti.
The vineyard stretches from the entire length of the Vosne Grands Crus belt, covering a complexity of different terroirs. The upper slope is stonier, for example, with a greater presence of limestone, while the lower slope has higher clay content. This heterogeneity can play to DRC’s advantage when it comes to harvest: by picking La Tâche in stages depending on vintage conditions, they are able to produce a more consistent ‘blend’ than might be possible in a more homogenous site.
Ultimately bolder and more concentrated than La Romanée, the Pinot Noirs from La Tâche are slow to reveal themselves. They may require 10 years or more for all their constituent parts to integrate, but when they do, the resulting wines can be truly enchanting.
