2020 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, DRC, Corton Grand Cru, Prince Florent de Merode, Bottle (750ml)

BH94 "A notably ripe nose speaks mostly of poached plum, warm earth and an array of spice and floral nuances that are trimmed in smoky wood hints. The decidedly rich and solidly concentrated big-bodied flavors possess a velvety mid-palate texture along with excellent energy on the muscular, moderately austere and superbly persistent finish. This is definitely robust and while not exactly rustic, it's not Romanée St. Vivant either - either way, it's clearly built-to-age and a wine that's going to need at least a decade first though it should be reasonably approachable thereafter. " AM for BH Jan 2023

DR95 "The warm, dry conditions of 2020 gave deep colour and ripe plummy fruit aromas to the DRC Corton, along with hints of earth, menthol, and wild herbs. The wine is still marked by oak aromas, and the texture is firm and slightly angular, although it softens with time and the finish is less strict. The Corton is not yet at the same level as the rest of the range but this among the best red wines produced on the hill of Corton, and a convincing interpretation of this classic style. 5,443 bottles were made." CC for DR Jul 2023