1997 Domaine Romanée-Conti Montrachet

I just came across my old notes from a lunch on March 28, 2005 for my group of three (myself, Gerry de Jesus and Jojo Madrid) that revolved around a bottle of Domaine Romanée-Conti's Montrachet 1997. I was told that only around 200 cases of this wine are produced each year. Jojo Madrid, shrewd and well-connected as he is, got wind of three bottles available in Manila and negotiated the price of one of them down to just over US$1000. We agreed to split the bottle, as well as the cost, three ways.

At Jojo's behest, a special menu was created by the chef of the Tivoli (i.e., the Continental restaurant of the Manila Mandarin Hotel): 5 creative spins on fresh Norwegian Salmon, Orange flavored duck consomme with poached foie gras, pan-seared gindara (i.e., a kind of black cod) and oven-roasted lobster over a scallop and sun-dried tomato risotto, finishing with passion fruit panna cotta with marinated orange segments served with natural yoghurt ice cream.

For starters, a bottle of 1996 Dom Perignon which I thoroughly enjoyed with fresh scallops, oysters and some goose liver pate.

In the glass, the Montrachet was an impossibly bright, clear viscous yellow-gold with the slightest Fuji-apple-green blush. "It looks like a young Sauternes", Jojo opined. In the nose and mouth, honey/vanilla over sweet, well-ripened honeydew melon, Anjou pear and citrus fruits. "Some pineapple" as well, noted the Gerry. After around half an hour, some hints of green apple surfaced, and, later still, discreet butterscotch. Then, mid-mouth and to the back, cold limestone notes reminiscent of fine Chablis emerged. The wine was absolutely rich, superbly rounded, mouth-filling, its many layers of flavors virtually seamless, all the way to the back into the long, long butter-rich finish.

Simply amazing.