Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru “Cuvée Duvault-Blochet” 2020 Domaine Romanèe Conti

Romanée-Conti Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru “Cuvée Duvault-Blochet” 2020

The Domaine’s Hidden Gem in an Exceptional Vintage

The 2020 vintage marks one of the finest expressions of the Duvault-Blochet cuvée — the only Premier Cru produced by Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. Made in extremely limited quantities, it comes from young vines across DRC’s Grand Cru plots (La Tâche, Richebourg, Romanée-St-Vivant, Echézeaux), striking a masterful balance between finesse, depth, and vitality. The wine honors Jacques-Marie Duvault-Blochet, the visionary who laid the foundation for today’s iconic domaine.

Vineyards and Terroir

Certified biodynamic cultivation and low yields define this Pinot Noir, grown on limestone-rich soils in Vosne-Romanée. The dry, stable 2020 growing season ensured perfect ripeness, preserving acidity and aromatic precision.

Vinification

Fermentation is spontaneous in open wooden vats with native yeasts and no temperature control. Malolactic fermentation occurs naturally. The wine ages for 16–18 months in 100% new French oak, with no fining or filtration.

Tasting Notes

Color: Brilliant ruby red with violet hues.
Nose: Aromas of red cherry, wild raspberry, black tea, and graphite, with floral and spicy nuances.
Palate: Fresh and vibrant, with silky tannins and elegant minerality. A persistent, saline finish reveals remarkable aging potential.

Suggested Pairings

• Truffle-roasted guinea fowl

• Stuffed quail

• Beef tenderloin with red wine jus

• Porcini mushroom risotto

• Aged Brie de Meaux or Chaource

Serving temperature: 14–16 °C
Decanting: Recommended for young bottles (30–60 minutes)

Technical Sheet

• Producer: Domaine de la Romanée-Conti

• Appellation: Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru “Cuvée Duvault-Blochet”

• Vintage: 2020

• Grape: 100% Pinot Noir

• Farming: Certified biodynamic

• Harvest: Manual, strict selection

• Fermentation: Native yeasts in wooden vats

• Aging: 16–18 months in new French oak

• Alcohol: ~13.5% vol

• Production: Extremely limited

• Distribution: Allocated only

Domaine de la Romanée‑Conti

The absolute essence of Burgundy—built on rigor, land, and time

The Domaine de la Romanée‑Conti, widely known as DRC, is far more than a wine producer—it is a global icon and a symbol of enological perfection located in the heart of Côte de Nuits, in Vosne‑Romanée. Its history spans centuries and is intertwined with the legendary vineyard that bears its name—Romanée‑Conti—already revered in the 18th century, contested by nobles and cardinals. The Domaine’s modern identity was shaped in the 20th century by the de Villaine and Leroy families, who continue to share its management and vision. All its vineyards are Grand Cru, nestled in Burgundy’s most prized plots—from La Tâche and Richebourg to Romanée‑Saint‑Vivant and Montrachet. With extremely limited production, each bottle is the result of an unwavering pursuit of purity, depth, and terroir fidelity.

In the vineyard: rigorous biodynamics and profound respect for terroir

At DRC, organic farming is not a trend, but a deeply held conviction. The vineyards have been certified biodynamic for years, though respect for the land predates any certification. Every vineyard practice—including harvest—is done by hand, grounded in the goal of expressing each cru fully. Each vine is treated as a unique individual; there is no forcing, no irrigation, no synthetic products. Exceptionally low yields, coupled with vine age, yield grapes of unparalleled concentration and complexity. Central to the philosophy is time—time to listen to the soil, observe the vine, and wait for perfect maturity. Only through such patience can one create a wine capable of transcending decades.

In the cellar: rigor, gravity, and almost religious classicism

Winemaking at DRC is marked by monastic precision, with meticulous observation of each micro-lot. Grapes are sorted one by one with obsessive care. Fermentation occurs in oak vats with native yeasts, often using whole clusters, and with no artificial temperature control. The must follows its natural course, without mechanical interference. Post-fermentation, wines are aged roughly 18 months in 100% new barriques, always with the aim of preserving, not masking, the wine’s identity. There is no room for shortcuts or compromise. Each cuvée is bottled unfiltered after a slow, precise, and silent evolution. The result is a wine beyond time—devoid of fashion or concession, speaking with an ethereal, vibrant, unmatched voice.