WORLD'S MOST EXPENSIVE WINE: DRC

In this video we’re tasting a bottle of 2002 La Tache from the world’s most expensive
winemaker, Domaine Romanee Conti. We’re discussing the history of Domaine Romanee Conti
and what makes its wines so exclusive. The video includes original footage from Burgundy and
Montrachet vineyard. The 2002 DRC La Tache cost $7,500 and we ask whether any wine is
worth such a price. Our expert sommelier, Stacey Land, helps us with tasting the wine.
Unfortunately, we get a very unpleasant surprise.
Stacey Land Contact Information:
Instagram: @sommstacey
@1618bookclub
@1618midtown
@1618west
Email: [e-mail]

[@sh.5391]

I really liked the honesty in saying what the wine was, not what it should have been given its price. It’s disappointing, but educating. Keep it up.

[@OurPourDecisions]

Thank you so much! We are so glad you enjoyed the video. Plenty of more videos to come 😊

[@John-sg9fz]

Just came across this channel and I like it. Gutting about La Tache but buying DRC from Acker is highly risky given association with Rudy

[@OurPourDecisions]

Thank you for your kind words. We've done a lot of follow-up with Acker since the video and they've been really forthcoming in terms of provenance and authentication. They may do something to help the channel with our bad experience - we'll see. Stay tuned!

[@staceyland1154]

What an experience! While it was disappointing to taste La Tache gone bad, it is part of the Burgundy experience. I really enjoyed talking DRC and Burgundy with you!

[@mikeymonty]

Great honesty. Wonderful review

[@junesamuelson1062]

So informative! I could almost taste the wine with your descriptions!Love all the history. Beautifully done.

[@DaniBoy-pc9zq]

Thank you for sharing the experience. I wish you better luck the next time!

[@ruohaochen]

Thank you for being so authentic

[@kennynggg]

So glad I found this channel last night. Wishing you both all the best, and hope you guys will Keep at this!

[@OurPourDecisions]

Thank you - we'll keep it going if you keep watching! :-)

[@lijmes]

This is incredibly invaluable having documented a corked (or bad) DRC. Yes, it was an expensive lesson, but also one shared amongst many and for that I am appreciative. Thank you for the lovely video.

[@OurPourDecisions]

It's actually quite an interesting experience. The question that has now been raised is: Was it a bad bottle or was it a fake? We're continuing to follow up on some interesting points brought up by viewers.

[@brianwettlaufer3447]

I was fortunate enough to purchase a bottle of 2018 La Tache directly from LCBO lottery in Ontario Canada. Was shipped with the original straw (straw-like grass) wrapping. So I’m the first retail owner of the bottle so at least I know the provenance is good. My price was $1,500.00 Canadian dollars. This is the one wine in my collection that may be a candidate for resale down the road but for now it’s resting in one of my wine fridges at 53 F. Crossing my fingers for a clear and fresh wine when it’s eventually opened. Thank you for the video and I can appreciate the disappointment in your La Tache. Unfortunately we all get a bad bottle now and then which we never want no matter what the price and scarcity.

[@OurPourDecisions]

What a great purchase! I know the straw you're talking about - I bought some 2011 DRC direct and it came in the straw sleaves as well.

[@davidkarin3443]

When does LCBO usually do that lottery? I’d love to try get my hands on one.

[@koensteeland9057]

Great video and indeed educating and honest.

[@lindsayhancock8915]

I’ll help you taste the next bottle! Well done, Marius and Berit! 🍷

[@Ask_lu]

Great video. Subscribed! That’s one beautiful cellar behind you.

[@OurPourDecisions]

We love to hear that! Thanks so much. We are hoping to do a wine cellar tour very soon!

[@Fvfm2000]

Great video, thank you!

[@mortenfriis4688]

Love you made the effort! Thanks for sharing.. feel with you😢

[@jasonmcquade2935]

Acker has a history of counterfeit wines/bourbon. I truly hope this wasn’t a Kurniawan wine. What a bummer. Beyond impressed with how you handled it.

[@OurPourDecisions]

Thank you so much. Yes it was real bummer and such a letdown. I don't think it was a fake - just a really bad bottle.

[@mikegraves4155]

By most accounts, Rudy's wines were quite good! A lot of experienced wine drinkers were completely fooled for a long time before he was found out. His wines were fraudulent, but I'd be happy to have a glass!

[@rainie22rs]

So much information explained clearly in this great video! While keeping it real in being honest about the wine having gone bad. An excellent learning experience ( for both creators and viewers). Could you have made vinegar from the remainder of this undrinkable La Tache? You could have been the rare table having $7k La Tache vinegar

[@OurPourDecisions]

Ah, there's a lost opportunity - $7,000 La Tache vinegar! LOL. So glad you liked the video.

[@duncanwmaxwell]

Ugh understand how bummed you must feel! But loved the honesty of this. Would be interesting to see a side by side of Burgundy and a New World Pinot!

[@carlcadregari7768]

That’s the only real “tears” in a wine, pouring a La Tache down the sink….. 😢😢😢. Worst so far was a 74 Chateau LaTour….. it was a gift and hadn’t been stored well. Lead salts on the capsule, and when I went to open it the cork basically dropped into the wine….yep, no rescuing that wine…. I did just open a 2000 dessert wine from Liguria, and it was a bit maderized. Most of the ones that have been bad had cork taint, including a Dom Perignon P3, and others. Almost 100% of the time the shops replaced the bottle or replaced with something similar, but wine lives in a bottle and if it’s not tainted, but past its prime, then your only recourse is exactly what you did, or drink it, not many options. Like you mentioned, it comes with the territory and if you drink enough you will run into that.

[@OurPourDecisions]

It was particularly sad because we had such high hopes for the wine. Sorry to hear you've had similar letdowns in the past.

[@carlcadregari7768]

@@OurPourDecisions part of drinking older wines…..sometimes even the best provenance doesn’t remove the risk of it just being a bad bottle. Cheers!

[@Spyk3rX]

Many great pinots in Europe past burgundy now adays. Austria grand select pinots are fantastic for a $100. Swiss pinot, Gantenbein more the burgudy style. If you have it would love to hear your thoughts on it!

[@OurPourDecisions]

Don't know the Austrian wines well. Had a few Gruner Veltliners but that's it. Now you have me interested!!

[@kevinshin1474]

Don't mean to be pompous, but... DRC produces three grand cru whites, yet only two are commercially available: Corton Charlemagne and Montrachet. The first vintage of Corton Charlemagne was in 2019. DRC also produces a small amount of red premier crus from the Petits Monts vineyard. There's a bit of danger in trusting someone just because they're a sommelier. Bernard Noblet retired, and the new winemaker is not his son. Also, the owner has no children, so there are no "father and son" relationships. Premox exists in red Burgundy but is extremely rare. DRC reds have never had any issues with premox. Regarding color, perfectly correct red Burgundies can be cloudy. Also, the cause for premature oxidation in white burgundy is not just defective corks but a number of other reasons. I am not doubting the 02 La Tache was bad, which is a shame as it is a great wine, but there seems to be a bit of misinformation. There is absolutely no way to paying $6k for a bottle of wine but La Tache is the best wine made for some of us, equal to Romanee Conti but just different. P.S. It is best to just say DRC or you kinda need to add "de" i.e. Domaine de la Romanee Conti.

[@OurPourDecisions]

Good stuff! Our goal is to learn as much as we can while sharing our experience with viewers. Thank you for taking the time to share. You do not sound pompous and we're happy to get input.

[@richardcollins586]

I’ll never be able to afford a Grand Cru, though the first case of my premier cru 2022 Gevrey Chambertin has now arrived from Burgundy. Two more cases to arrive! 😊

[@OurPourDecisions]

So excited for you! I think Premier Crus will often drink as well as Grand Crus.

[@Thankingyou1]

I appreciate the honesty of this video. Now, is there a less expensive wine that would taste better than this and offer a better value for the money? The person who sold you this wine ought to stand behind it and give you another bottle. It's clearly spoiled and a bad bottle. At least that's what they do at my liquor store. In the rare wine room they tell you up front if you get a bad bottle we will replace it.

[@CembaloMeister]

They purchased this wine at auction. With both personal and professional experience using Acker (the auction house they used), I can tell you they won't replace the bottle or refund the customer. When it comes to auction, you have to accept "shit happens" and eat the cost of the bottle.

[@Thankingyou1]

@@CembaloMeister This is certainly not a good way to do business. They would have been better off buying this wine from private wine dealer. The liquor store in my area has a rare wine section and they told me right out, that they would certainly replace a bad bottle. I would have brought the opened bottle back to them and let them taste it, and they would have gladly replaced it. And, they deal with some really expensive wines. Some go as high at $5,000 a bottle.

[@OurPourDecisions]

You're right about "shit happens" policy with old bottles. We bought this particular bottle from the Acker store in Manhattan but I believe the policy is the same. Would be interesting to see what they have to say, but I'm suspicious it's just "sorry, that's life of old burgs."

[@OurPourDecisions]

I agree if the bottle is new. Once an old bottle has changed hands multiple times (potentially), it's hard to hold the retailer responsible. And yes - many bottles that are far less expensive and just as delicious!

[@OurPourDecisions]

That's a great policy and certainly reassuring.

[@markcorbo2542]

So disappointing, to say the least. Unfortunately a nuance of wine collecting. Albeit the least favourable outcome, it was certainly handled with grace and elegance. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. I’m grateful to have stumbled upon your channel, I’ve watched all your content thus far. Really high quality and extremely enjoyable. Please keep going, perfect for the wine enthusiast alike! Cheers 🍷 can’t wait for the next one!

[@OurPourDecisions]

Thank you for an incredibly kind comment. Makes this even more fun when we hear from people like yourself.

[@rikardo1070]

did you save your receipt ? for return credit .

[@OurPourDecisions]

We're following up with Acker.

[@pintag3369]

These highly collectible wines can never live up to their lofty prices. To me, no wine is worth $100, much less 7k. I’ve been blown away by a $50 bottle of Burg - 1999 Simon Bize Aux Vergelesses. I would rather spend $7k on 140 different $50 bottles and find dozens of beautiful gems than one bottle that may or may not be great.

[@OurPourDecisions]

Don't disagree with your assessment. A lot of times expensive bottles are more about the rarity and exclusivity. I've certainly tried amazing bottles at $50!

[@sirclemeni1]

​@@OurPourDecisions100% agree with your statement. the grand cru and premier cru classification was created in 1855 and nowadays many of the sites are not living up to their standards anymore. reason for this is the ongoing climate change, resulting in too much exposure and heat in the famous vinyards, so the wine is no longer able to develop the complexity and elegance it used to have. therefore lesser known plots are now able to produce magnificent quality but people stil want the grand cru stamp on the lable of their wine and are willing to pay the price for it.

[@joesantamaria5874]

Have to disagree on the $100 limit. Although I have had my share of disappointing $200-400 bottles, there are some wines that are clearly worth it. The 2016 Chateau Pichon Baron, about $260 a bottle, is spectacular. Nearly any wine from the village of Chambolle Musigny will set you back a hundy, but will likely be sublime. Just my two cents! ☮️

[@jameshogarth8721]

Sadly this is "the way" when it comes to stupidly high-end bottles. Always sold "as-is" and no recourse to the buyer. Definitely scared me off paying the big bucks and makes it more "reasonable" paying restaurant premiums when at least you have that guarantee of a sommelier checking it's good and a new bottle if something is wrong. Look forward to seeing more videos from you!

[@pkwang5194]

Once I had a bottle of 30 year old Bordeaux, at the opening of the bottle it was clear and tasty, half an hour later it became cloudy but still tasted alright, an hour later it became murky and tasted almost vinegar!

[@OurPourDecisions]

It certainly happens to some wines. This bottle was bad from the start. We tested it immediately upon opening and although we hoped it would improve over time, it did not. :(

[@prapharattang5156]

Experienced almost exactly the same for 1989 RC

[@OurPourDecisions]

Ugh - so sorry to hear. It happens a lot. We plan on doing an episode on flawed bottles soon and will explore causes more in detail.

[@gemilyt]

Cloudiness is bad in an unfiltered DRC Pinot? You gotta go out and try a lot of fantastic PN before that test is failed! And, you should've tasted right away, to see where the wine was before letting it stew. Brave attempt overall though. Be flexible!

[@OurPourDecisions]

Great points. I always taste the wine out of the bottle to see if it's bad. The DRC was suspect from the start but got worse over time. Some winemakers will filter because they point out all the things that can go bad. Other don't filter because they think it negatively affect the wine. You'll find people on both sides of the argument. However, just because it's not filtered does not suggest it should be cloudy. Cloudiness suggests things are going on in the bottle that shouldn't be. It doesn't mean the bottle is bad but it's typically not desired.

[@RJHHamersma]

Oh no ... So sad !!!! This should have been an amazing experience ...

[@OurPourDecisions]

I know.......:(

[@Imperialsphinx]

🙌🏼🙌🏼

[@georgek.1498]

Would you buy it again?

[@TheLcookson]

❤❤❤

[@libfit9068]

Would the wine producer do anything about that?

[@OurPourDecisions]

It's an interesting question. We've been working with Acker on it and they've been very forthcoming about prevenance and authentication. I should ask what position DRC usually takes on bad bottles.

[@numanuma20]

New subscriber here, sorry to see you got a flawed bottle.

[@flitcroftLA]

Very frustrating to see an obviously flawed bottle on the channel. Why didn't your somm directly call out the volatile acidity (VA) flaw? This is not at all how DRC tastes. If you got this at a restaurant, this is when you send the wine back. If you buy from a reputable retailer, not an auction house, you can return a defective wine like this at good stores.

[@OurPourDecisions]

Great points. A little bit of background; The bottle was purchased at Acker in NYC some time ago. I owned the bottle for some time so it's mine. The bottle was not good when we first opened it but it got worse over time. I think we made the point that it was a bad bottle and not representative of a DRC. However, it did raise an important point, which is that there are a lot of older Burgundy bottles for thousands of dollars that are just simply bad. Try any Grand Cru whites from 1995-2005 and you'll find more than half are probably ruined. However, the ones that are good are amazing. We are working with Acker who have both verified the authenticity of the bottle and provenance. They are working with our channel to see if they can come up with something to make up for the bad experience. They've been extremely forthcoming so far. Stay tuned for more!

[@cameaux3000]

Devastated for you guys..😢

[@OurPourDecisions]

Thank you - it was rough. Not going to lie.

[@GPONTHEMOVE]

Thanks for sharing. I feel so sorry for you guys! What a let down :/

[@OurPourDecisions]

Thank you so much - yeah it was a real bummer...:-(

[@saulobertozo]

Sad. I see, after drink a lot of and for a long time, that light and/or heat punish Pinot Noir more than other wines through the time. I almost just have Pinot Noir from Burgundy at home (in Brazil). So dark and cool cellar is not optional to keep they alive for years and we have to make shure that this happens from the winery door. Hard.

[@OurPourDecisions]

Agree, a lot of things can go wrong during transport in hot climates. Who knows what happened with this particular bottle. It's so frustrating nonetheless.

[@Unison212E]

That’s Rudy wine from Acker!!!!

[@JOLO5150]

for sure something off

[@BooSargant]

I have opened a few of these bottles there normally a wax seal on top of the cork and don't see it on your bottle

[@OurPourDecisions]

That's interesting to hear. Several Burgundy producers started using wax seals to combat premox but I don't think I've seen it on regular-sized DRCs. Please do share specifics if you have seen it.

[@BooSargant]

@@OurPourDecisions I've o ly seen it on normal sized bottles yours the only one not seen it on just youtube Drc openings and will see it on there

[@BooSargant]

@@OurPourDecisions kzbin.infolf9-82egpoE?si=hiIEXx8tNeM9yOcI

[@BooSargant]

@OurPourDecisions can see the wax on the cork on table kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5vNeJ-PeNOcjJYsi=kMOfHjG-xXkYM_If

[@BooSargant]

Same wine as you opened can see the wax kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y32vfpmDgNSAi7csi=BKDjQM_c6deaXg2J I have opened some and all had wax little layer and got mine from vineyard

[@rhubarbbs]

Something was wrong with this bottle. Burgundy is not a let down. You should drink more of it. Also, It seems that it wouldn’t have affected the outcome here, but at the beginning you said that you opened the bottle a couple hours before drinking it? How did you make the decision to do that? Did you consult the Sommelier to do that? Pinot Noir trends to the medium bodied, and old Pinot noir is said to be ethereal - as in it has a very short shelf life once it’s opened. It’s not like a huge younger Screaming Eagle cab that you want oxygenate by opening and or decanting way ahead of drinking to soften the tannins, etc. I was always taught to open and drink old Pinots some what “quickly” before they die.

[@OurPourDecisions]

Yes, this bottle was not representative for the wine. It was a bad bottle for sure. We explain this at the end of the video. We opened the bottle an hour before filming but did not decant for the reasons you mentioned. We tasted the wine immediately upon opening and continued to taste throughout. We wanted to see what happened over time during slow ox. However, the bottle started bad and just got worse. It's just one of those bad bottles. Incredibly frustrating.

[@francmassaneda]

If a wine it's faulty (in this case bc it has VA), you shouldn't be jumping into conclusions and telling it's disapointing. The wine should be returned. It's a nice video, but it gives the impression that the conclusion is "La Tache is a dissapointing wine".

[@stickshifter8]

The sommelier did not swirl the glass prior to smelling it?? Crazy!!!

[@japassarelli]

You swirl it after you smell it without swirling

[@staceyland1154]

@@japassarelli So true! Delicate wines and delicate flavors will waft off if you swirl before smelling, so I always sniff first. Then swirl and sniff again. Excessive swirling can be a nervous habit and some of those most delicate flavors, especially in Pinot noir, can disappear without first being loved on!

[@SJM-equestrian]

💰🍷💸

[@garyglitta]

Isn’t Acker the same dodgy merchant implicated in the Rudy Kurniawan scandal? Sorry for your loss 😭

[@AA-nh6rh]

Favorite $30 bottle?

[@OurPourDecisions]

Not sure. Many good options - it really comes down to personal preference. My friends always want me to pick the wine when we go out to dinner but I never want to. I would try different wines and find your favorite. I'm always skeptical of people of profess to have "the answer". If you like it, then it's good. If you love it, buy some more. Thank you for watching the channel - sorry I'm not being more helpful.

[@itamareshet]

law of diminishing return.. after certain price point, you end up paying for marketing and brand name.

[@davidkarin3443]

Did it come from Rudy’s cellar? I could never trust Acker after what they did to buyers.

[@OurPourDecisions]

There are some scars from past sins for sure but Acker has been very forthcoming with the authentication and provenance of this particular bottle. I think they are considering something to make it up to our channel so we'll see. Stay tuned.

[@Pseudopimelodidae]

Great video. However, the problem with conventional wine people/educators is that they don’t call it how it is like for example Gary Vaynerchuk does. It’s better to say straight up that this DRC wine is corked and will taste like shit no matter who is the producer, secondly the 10k bottle won’t taste much different to a great 50 dollar bottle, especially to a lay person who has not tasted a lot of wine. For newer wine drinkers it’s important to try many kinds of wines and learn what tastes good to your own pallet. Just going by price and thinking “it’s expensive, so it must be good” will lead you nowhere.

[@OurPourDecisions]

Happy to hear you liked the video! It's absolutely true - expensive is not always good.

[@mhkins]

lol, you can’t breathe a wine by just taking the cork out.

[@sirwilliams3885]

I’m surprised they didn’t throw up.. wonder who paid for that bottle of yuck..

[@OurPourDecisions]

We did. :-(

[@kentpiano2600]

Well done! But what a waste of money + a total disappointment!! Really not worth bothering with

[@OurPourDecisions]

Yes, such a bummer!

[@dr7246]

I assume you confirmed provenance of the bottle. That it wasn’t counterfeit

[@OurPourDecisions]

A number of viewers asked questions about this and some even raised issues about the cork. Acker has been extremely forthcoming and given us the provenance as well as working with the authenticator to match cork lot #'s etc. It appears that it was simply a bad bottle.

[@froth7133]

You take risks at auction … I can’t tell if the wine has gone bad or a true representation of the vineyard and winemaker? Ok it was poorly maintained.

[@OurPourDecisions]

Agree on the risks of buying at auction. This wine was bought at their retail store.

[@froth7133]

@@OurPourDecisions if retail you should take it back .. your cellar conditions are immaculate. They would go back to their source. At a minimum they should know it went bad so they don’t buy from that source again. The winery would be beside themselves that you had a bad experience. In all the wine I drink I’ve only had a couple corked, but the wineries will replaced immediately.

[@ajaxhero2004]

Oh, mate. Totally gutted for you and that wine. Begs the question as to why wine bottled using cork during that period with the known faults, demand such high prices. What is the failure rate? If you r ever in New Zealand, head to Central Otago for the amazing Pinots down there.

[@OurPourDecisions]

Don't know what the failure rate was between 1995 and 2005 but I suspect it was high. I would love to visit New Zealand!

[@clauslindemann]

It's a little like crashing your car without insurance.

[@OurPourDecisions]

That's the perfect analogy! LOL

[@Ruirspirul]

not perfect?! wine has effectively become vinegar😅

[@jrvilchis55]

I was waiting for the woman in green hair to start screaming or make a tantrum. Disappointment of a video.

[@OurPourDecisions]

LOL. Sorry to let you down. Don't expect too much drama in our videos. :-)

[@EKdlwoasred]

They should use fertiliser to get more grapes and then make more wine. Or they could use genetically modified grapes so they’re bigger