2015 Domaine de la Romanee Conti La Tache, Cotes de Nuits

(racked): Bright, saturated red. A bit darker on the nose than most of the foregoing '15s, offering highly complex yet somewhat somber scents of medicinal black cherry, licorice, violet, sandalwood and black tea. Then extremely primary in the middle palate, showing less early sweetness than the Richebourg but outstanding breadth and thickness and a texture of liquid silk. This seriously structured, very long, powerfully mineral wine finishes with major ripe tannins and chocolate and spice notes.

95-98 Stephen Tanzer vinous.com

Bright, dark red. Ineffable nose and palate combine note of flowers, anisette and Asian spices with raspberry and pungent crushed-stone minerality. Wonderfully plush and penetrating, conveying uncanny inner-mouth clarity and lift and impressive reserve to its sappy core of fruit. Finishes with a strong spine of tannins but the wine's dark raspberry, espresso and mineral flavors continue to build after the tannins disappear on the palate. Like all of the 2015 grand crus at this address, this wine conveys a powerful impression of dry extract.

98 points Stephen Tanzer vinous.com

The 2015 La Tâche Grand Cru was picked at 25.55hl/ha on 7 and 8 September. This has a fascinating bouquet. The stem addition seems a little more transparent than the other crus from the domaine. The La Tâche has darker fruit than the Richebourg mixed with black tea, bay leaf, a pinch of cracked black pepper and a slight bell pepper scent. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannin on the entry, presaging a masculine and almost curmudgeonly La Tâche whereas in previous years it is comparatively amenable and open. It is long and deep, yet introspective until that jab of spice engages the senses on the finish. Interestingly, returning after 15 minutes the last third of this La Tâche manifests more depth and tension, a little more detail with hints of orange rind and more brown spices. It is a mercurial La Tâche as always, but would you want it any different? Tasted at Corney & Barrow’s annual in bottle tasting in London.

97 points Neal Martin vinous.com