The 1999 Vosne-Romané 1er Cru Duvault-Blochet, the debut release in the modern era, was beginning to show some signs of bricking on the rim. The bouquet is a treat: decayed red berry fruit, sage and peppermint, just a soupçon of wild fennel all at the liminal point as primary tips into secondary aromas. The palate is soft and mellow on the entry with a subtle meaty/dried blood quality, fine tannin and well judged acidity that keeps this linear and focused. There is just a pinch of spice on the finish that strangely brought to mind more Chambolle than Vosne-Romanée, not that I am complaining. Tasted at the 1999 DRC dinner.

A veritable spice cupboard of aromas greets the nose followed by ripe, effusive, supple, sappy, super saturated flavors and outstanding length. This is long, reasonably dense and finishes with a trace of chocolate. I very much like the intensity of the finish. Tasted multiple times with consistent notes.

In 1999, the Domaine de la Romanee-Conti did something that it has never done before, producing a Vosne-Romanee 1er Cru. This wine was made from a second harvest that took place a few days after the initial harvest in La Tache. The wine is medium to dark ruby-colored and has a rose, violet, and red cherry-scented nose. Medium-bodied, lush, and expansive, it is fresh, filled with crunchy red and black berries, and has an impressively long, sweet, tannin-filled finish. Anticipated maturity: 2003-2010. Bravo! Importer: Wilson-Daniels, St. Helena, CA; tel. (707) 963-9661.

(a blend made from the second pass through the estate older vines; in '99 this was too good to sell to the negoces, according to de Villaine) Medium red. Sappy aromas of redcurrant, blackberry, plum, spices and chocolate. Juicy, minerally and fresh, with good body and lovely cut. Sweet oak adds complexity. Finishes fresh and precise, with firm tannins.