(Sorry for the long intro, notes towards the end) Richebourg is a Grand Cru burgundy wine from the little commune of Vosne-Romanee, in Cotes de Nuits, the northern part of Burgundy, where some of the world’s most celebrated Pinot Noirs come from. Richebourg is at the northern end of Vosne Romanee, directly north of La Romanee and Romanee Conti, with Romanee St Vivant to the east (all of these being world famous Grand Cru wines). Richebourg itself has been growing vines since at least the 1500s. The plot was divided into 2 Climats, with 5.05ha “Les Richebourgs” at the south and 2.98ha “Les Verroilles ou Richebourg” on the north (the two climats were officially unified in 1924, simply to Richebourg, but many prefer the wines from the southern “Les Richebourg” portion of the vineyard). Unlike many of DRC’s wines, Richebourg is not a monopole, meaning other producers also farm parts of Richebourg. DRC owns 3.51ha over several plots of Richebourg, including the very south of the vineyard, directly adjacent to Romanee Conti (and La Romanee) and farmed in the same way. It also has several plots on the east side, adjacent to Romanee Saint Vivant (which DRC also produces). Its Richebourg production includes grapes from all of its plots in Richebourg.
Richebourg grows Pinot noir exclusively, with 60 year old vines in DRC’s holdings. The vineyard is farmed completely organically without pesticides nor spray. Grapes were harvested fairly early (Sept 15/16) in 2019, due to the cooperative weather; with thick skinned grapes and small lush berries.
2019 was an excellent year in burgundy, warm dry summer, producing strong, bold, ageworthy wines. Richebourg was produced with 90-100% whole cluster, treated with 100% new oak from the finest oak coopers in the world.
With all that said, it’s not every day that you can sample such a great wine. It was a delicious treat shared with friends at a Lebanese restaurant.
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2019 DRC Richebourg 750mL – purchased on release from allocation – 13.5% ABV – bottle 6010 of 8135 – opened at Lebanese restaurant – Paired with mezze, chicken schwarma, mixed kabab, salmon
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Notes: Waiter opened wine without struggle, clean all natural cork came out, with it’s distinctive DRC cross emblazened on it. On the nose: ripe red cherry, pomegranate, with a little menthol vapors apparent on open, dissipating as the wine opened up. Wine improved about 1 hour after open Moderate alcohol with moderate smooth full tannins. Medium body; overall strong and precise. Dominant ripe red fruit with background dark fruit. Notes of Red currents, kalamata olives, smoky Tabacco, punctuated by oak at the back. Subtle flavors of white pepper and floral notes. The wine lingers on your tongue a good 20s
99/100
borangefpl
Though the score is unsurprising given the profile of this bottle, your tasting note itself doesn’t exactly scream 99 point wine. Reads a lot like reviews of many other more-generic burgundy Pinots rather than something profound.
I guess it’s extremely difficult to be objective once you know what you’re drinking.
jollycreation
Without sounding pedantic, are white pepper and floral notes tertiary flavors? And I wouldn’t necessarily expect a 2019 Richebourg to be exhibiting many tertiary qualities yet at all.
Glad it lived up to your expectations and was enjoyed!
3 Comments
2019 Domaine Romanee Conti Richebourg
(Sorry for the long intro, notes towards the end)
Richebourg is a Grand Cru burgundy wine from the little commune of Vosne-Romanee, in Cotes de Nuits, the northern part of Burgundy, where some of the world’s most celebrated Pinot Noirs come from. Richebourg is at the northern end of Vosne Romanee, directly north of La Romanee and Romanee Conti, with Romanee St Vivant to the east (all of these being world famous Grand Cru wines). Richebourg itself has been growing vines since at least the 1500s. The plot was divided into 2 Climats, with 5.05ha “Les Richebourgs” at the south and 2.98ha “Les Verroilles ou Richebourg” on the north (the two climats were officially unified in 1924, simply to Richebourg, but many prefer the wines from the southern “Les Richebourg” portion of the vineyard). Unlike many of DRC’s wines, Richebourg is not a monopole, meaning other producers also farm parts of Richebourg. DRC owns 3.51ha over several plots of Richebourg, including the very south of the vineyard, directly adjacent to Romanee Conti (and La Romanee) and farmed in the same way. It also has several plots on the east side, adjacent to Romanee Saint Vivant (which DRC also produces). Its Richebourg production includes grapes from all of its plots in Richebourg.
Richebourg grows Pinot noir exclusively, with 60 year old vines in DRC’s holdings. The vineyard is farmed completely organically without pesticides nor spray. Grapes were harvested fairly early (Sept 15/16) in 2019, due to the cooperative weather; with thick skinned grapes and small lush berries.
2019 was an excellent year in burgundy, warm dry summer, producing strong, bold, ageworthy wines. Richebourg was produced with 90-100% whole cluster, treated with 100% new oak from the finest oak coopers in the world.
With all that said, it’s not every day that you can sample such a great wine. It was a delicious treat shared with friends at a Lebanese restaurant.
———
2019 DRC Richebourg 750mL
– purchased on release from allocation
– 13.5% ABV
– bottle 6010 of 8135
– opened at Lebanese restaurant
– Paired with mezze, chicken schwarma, mixed kabab, salmon
———-
Notes:
Waiter opened wine without struggle, clean all natural cork came out, with it’s distinctive DRC cross emblazened on it. On the nose: ripe red cherry, pomegranate, with a little menthol vapors apparent on open, dissipating as the wine opened up. Wine improved about 1 hour after open Moderate alcohol with moderate smooth full tannins. Medium body; overall strong and precise. Dominant ripe red fruit with background dark fruit. Notes of Red currents, kalamata olives, smoky Tabacco, punctuated by oak at the back. Subtle flavors of white pepper and floral notes. The wine lingers on your tongue a good 20s
99/100
Though the score is unsurprising given the profile of this bottle, your tasting note itself doesn’t exactly scream 99 point wine. Reads a lot like reviews of many other more-generic burgundy Pinots rather than something profound.
I guess it’s extremely difficult to be objective once you know what you’re drinking.
Without sounding pedantic, are white pepper and floral notes tertiary flavors? And I wouldn’t necessarily expect a 2019 Richebourg to be exhibiting many tertiary qualities yet at all.
Glad it lived up to your expectations and was enjoyed!