RICHEBOURG

(the Richebourg parcel now totals .6 ha after it was combined with the vines that formerly belonged to Michel Gros, which he agreed to exchange so that he could retain the Vosne 1er Clos de Réas as a monopole. The Richebourg vines have been replanted 3 times and they are now 15+, 25+ and 70+ years of age). Here too a moderate wood influence frames the ripe, pure and cool aromas of plum, violets and spicy Asian-style tea. The equally pure broad-shouldered flavors ooze a fine minerality on the energetic and powerful finish that does a slow build from the mid-palate to the explosive finale. I very much like the underlying sense of tension and this is a classically styled Richebourg that is built-to-age yet not quite so structured as to preclude opening a bottle after only 6 to 8 years. Drinking range: 2028 - Rating: 91-94 Allen Meadows, www.Burghound.com (Apr 2018)

Three out of the eight pièces were new. Only 10% lost to frost. Half the vines are 75 years old and the other half 50 years. Tank sample. Mid garnet. Very heady and gorgeous on the nose. Almost DRC-like. Masses of sweet gorgeous fruit with both acidity and very fine tannins. Irresistible! Playful and totally hedonistic, though not remotely heavy. Violets and something of the forest about it. Surely it will become more complex but it would give pleasure already. Long. Was heavily reduced, apparently. Great lift. Drinking range: 2023 - 2040 Rating: 18.5 Jancis Robinson OBE MW - www.JancisRobinson.com (Feb 2018)

(from a .6 ha parcel and 70% new oak). This is quite firmly reduced today and other than a touch of wood, nothing else is perceptible. Otherwise the mouth coating and broad-shouldered flavors ooze with a very fine minerality that continues onto the austere, focused, linear, backward and almost painfully intense finish that delivers spectacular length. This is presently very compact and not really revealing much of anything but the intrinsic stuffing appears to be present such that this should come together if allowed at least 6 to 8 years of bottle age though note well that it will require all of the 15 years that I suggest to arrive at its full potential. Drinking range: 2031 - Rating: 92-94 Allen Meadows, www.Burghound.com (Jan 2018)

Good full red. Brooding, very pure aromas of dark raspberry and crushed stone. Wonderfully stylish and supple on entry, then broader, plusher and more deeply pitched in the middle palate than the Clos Vougeot but very backward today, showing less primary fruit character and more salty minerality. Not displaying quite the early cut or definition of the Clos Vougeot but the tannins are plush and the finish boasts terrific subtle length. This wine appears to possess the spine for long aging and should eventually surpass the Clos Vougeot. Drinking range: 2027 - 2040 Rating: 93 Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (Jan 2018)

Anne's Richebourg is predictably magnificent. The 2016 Richebourg Grand Cru, whose vines were less hit by frost than the Echézeaux or the Clos de Vougeot, boasts a magnificent bouquet with beautifully defined red berry fruit, cold limestone and pressed flowers. There is a sense of harmony and flow to this wine that sweeps you off your feet. The palate is very tensile right from the start. Maybe this is a more linear Richebourg to others at the moment and yet the intensity is completely locked into this wine. There are darker fruits than the bouquet suggests: blackberry, raspberry, redcurrant and a conspicuous pepperiness, almost feral on the finish that really imbues this wine with personality. Superb. Drinking range: 2025 - 2045 Rating: 94-96 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Dec 2017)

An upright aroma (just racked) with very bright fruit given this on the strike. This has such finesse and intensity. Silky tannins, purity, vibrancy. There is light and purity and delicacy with intensity. Drinking range: 2024 - Rating: 19.89 Sarah Marsh MW, The Burgundy Briefing (Nov 2017)