Burgundy, the famed wine region in France, is home to some of the most prestigious wines in the world. Among these, La Tâche 2012, a Grand Cru vineyard in the Côte de Nuits, holds a particularly esteemed position. As one of the finest single-vineyard wines in the world, La Tâche 2012 is a rare and highly coveted example of the exceptional quality that Burgundy can offer. Known for its unparalleled finesse, complexity, and aging potential, La Tâche 2012 is an iconic wine that showcases the craftsmanship and tradition of the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC), one of the most prestigious producers in the region. This article explores the history of La Tâche, the unique qualities of the 2012 vintage, and why this wine remains one of the most sought-after bottles in the wine world.

The History and Legacy of La Tâche

La Tâche is one of the most celebrated Grand Cru vineyards in Burgundy and is part of the esteemed Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC), which is known for producing some of the most expensive and highly sought-after wines in the world. Located in the Côte de Nuits, specifically in the village of Vosne-Romanée, La Tâche covers a relatively small vineyard area of just under 6 hectares. The vineyard is planted exclusively with Pinot Noir, which thrives in the region’s cool climate and limestone-rich soils, producing wines of extraordinary depth and character.

The history of La Tâche dates back several centuries, with the vineyard having been cultivated since at least the 16th century. In the 19th century, La Tâche was acquired by the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, which also owns other prestigious vineyards such as Romanée-Conti, Richebourg, and Echézeaux. Since then, the vineyard has become synonymous with quality, producing wines of exceptional distinction year after year.

The Domaine de la Romanée-Conti has earned a reputation for meticulous vineyard management, sustainable practices, and a hands-off winemaking approach that allows the terroir to shine. As a result, La Tâche wines have come to symbolize the very best of Burgundy and are considered among the finest expressions of Pinot Noir in the world.

The Making of La Tâche 2012

The La Tâche 2012 is a wine that reflects the exceptional terroir of the vineyard and the precise winemaking practices employed by Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. The 2012 vintage in Burgundy was a year marked by relatively favorable growing conditions, with a warm summer followed by a cool harvest, which allowed the Pinot Noir grapes to ripen slowly and evenly. The resulting wines from the 2012 vintage, including La Tâche, are characterized by their finesse, balance, and aromatic complexity.

Here’s an overview of the key factors that contributed to the making of La Tâche 2012:

1. Vineyard Selection: The La Tâche vineyard, located on a gentle slope, benefits from a unique microclimate that allows for the perfect ripening of Pinot Noir. The vineyard is composed of well-drained, limestone-rich soils, which are ideal for producing wines with great depth, complexity, and aging potential. Domaine de la Romanée-Conti places great emphasis on sustainable farming practices, ensuring that the vines are healthy and the fruit is of the highest quality.
2. Grape Variety: La Tâche is planted exclusively with Pinot Noir, the grape variety for which Burgundy is most famous. Pinot Noir is known for its delicate nature, which requires careful attention to detail in the vineyard and winery. The grape produces wines with complex aromas and flavors, as well as an elegant and silky texture that is the hallmark of Burgundy’s best wines.
3. Harvesting: The grapes for La Tâche 2012 were hand-harvested at optimal ripeness to ensure that only the best fruit was selected. The hand-picking process allows for a careful sorting of the grapes, ensuring that any damaged or unripe berries are removed before fermentation. This labor-intensive method ensures the wine is made from the highest quality fruit, which is essential to the wine’s overall quality.
4. Fermentation and Winemaking: The grapes for La Tâche 2012 were fermented in small batches, with native yeasts used to promote a natural fermentation process. The wine underwent gentle extraction during fermentation to preserve the delicate aromas and flavors of the Pinot Noir grapes. The fermentation was followed by malolactic fermentation, which helps to soften the wine’s acidity and create a smoother mouthfeel.
5. Aging: After fermentation, La Tâche 2012 was aged in new French oak barrels for around 18 months. The oak barrels contribute subtle notes of spice, vanilla, and toasted wood, while allowing the wine to slowly evolve and mature. The aging process helps to integrate the wine’s fruit and tannins, resulting in a wine with a harmonious structure and balance.
6. Blending: La Tâche is made as a single-vineyard wine, meaning that the wine is not blended with any other wines. This allows the terroir of the vineyard to shine through in every bottle, with the unique characteristics of the land, the climate, and the grape variety all coming together to create a wine of exceptional complexity and depth.

Tasting Notes of La Tâche 2012

The La Tâche 2012 is a wine that showcases the elegance and finesse of Pinot Noir, offering a complex and multifaceted sensory experience. Here are the key tasting notes that define this exceptional wine:

Appearance: The wine has a deep, ruby red color with a hint of garnet at the rim, which is typical of Pinot Noir wines that have aged gracefully.

Nose: On the nose, La Tâche 2012 is immediately captivating, with a bouquet of complex and nuanced aromas. Ripe red fruits, such as raspberry, cherry, and strawberry, are prominent, along with subtle floral notes of rose petal and violet. As the wine opens up, additional aromas of earthy mushroom, truffle, and a touch of underbrush emerge, reflecting the terroir of the vineyard. There are also delicate notes of spice, including cinnamon, clove, and a hint of vanilla from the oak aging, which add to the wine’s complexity.

Palate: On the palate, La Tâche 2012 is medium-bodied with a silky, smooth texture that is characteristic of Pinot Noir from this region. The wine is well-structured, with fine, integrated tannins that provide a solid framework without overwhelming the delicate fruit flavors. The red fruit notes of cherry, raspberry, and strawberry are complemented by savory flavors of forest floor, truffle, and a touch of leather, creating a harmonious and complex profile. The oak influence is subtle yet present, contributing to the wine’s roundness and depth. The wine’s acidity is bright and balanced, providing freshness and lift to the rich, fruit-forward flavors.

Finish: The finish of La Tâche 2012 is long and lingering, with the red fruit flavors slowly fading into a beautiful, earthy aftertaste. The wine’s silky texture, fine tannins, and balanced acidity create a finish that is elegant and persistent, leaving a lasting impression of finesse and complexity.

Why La Tâche 2012 is So Special

Several factors contribute to the exceptional quality of La Tâche 2012, making it one of the standout wines from Burgundy:

1. Exceptional Terroir: The La Tâche vineyard is located in one of the most prestigious wine-growing areas in Burgundy, with unique terroir that allows Pinot Noir to flourish. The combination of limestone-rich soils, ideal climate, and careful vineyard management ensures that the grapes achieve optimal ripeness and express the true character of the land.
2. Masterful Winemaking: Domaine de la Romanée-Conti’s winemaking team is known for its precision and attention to detail. The use of traditional, hands-off winemaking techniques ensures that the natural character of the grapes and the terroir are preserved, resulting in a wine that is pure, refined, and complex.
3. Pinot Noir at Its Best: La Tâche is made exclusively from Pinot Noir, a grape variety that is notoriously difficult to grow but can produce wines of incredible depth and elegance when treated with care. The wine’s silky texture, complexity, and ability to age gracefully are a testament to the quality of the fruit and the skill of the winemaker.
4. Aging Potential: La Tâche 2012 is a wine that will continue to evolve and improve with age. With its balanced acidity, fine tannins, and complex flavors, it has the potential to develop further nuances and depth over the next several decades, making it an excellent choice for collectors.
5. Prestige and Rarity: As one of the most iconic Grand Cru wines in Burgundy, La Tâche is produced in limited quantities, making it a rare and highly coveted wine. Its prestige, rarity, and quality make it a symbol of excellence in the wine world, and it is highly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs.

Pairing La Tâche 2012 with Food

Given its complexity, elegance, and finesse, La Tâche 2012 pairs wonderfully with a variety of rich, flavorful dishes. Here are some ideal food pairings:

1. Roast Duck: The richness of roast duck, particularly with a fruit-based sauce such as cherry or orange, complements the wine’s red fruit character and earthy notes.
2. Grilled Lamb: A perfectly grilled rack of lamb, seasoned with rosemary and garlic, pairs beautifully with the wine’s structure and depth.
3. Mushroom Dishes: The earthy flavors of mushrooms, such as wild mushrooms or mushroom risotto, match the wine’s savory and truffle notes, creating a harmonious pairing.
4. Aged Cheeses: Soft, creamy cheeses such as Brie or Camembert, as well as aged cheeses like Comté or Gruyère, pair well with the wine’s smooth texture and complexity.

Conclusion

La Tâche 2012 is a remarkable expression of Burgundy’s finest terroir and the skill of the winemaking team at Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. With its complexity, elegance, and aging potential, this wine is a true masterpiece that continues to capture the imagination of collectors and connoisseurs worldwide. Whether enjoyed now or cellared for further aging, La Tâche 2012 is a wine that offers a rare and unforgettable experience, showcasing the true potential of Pinot Noir in one of the most prestigious vineyards in the world.