RICHEBOURG

(from a .6 ha parcel). This is easily the most floral-suffused wine in the range with its notes of violet, lavender and rose petal on the highly spiced array of red berry aromas. There is lovely underlying tension to the more mineral-inflected if not especially dense flavors that also deliver focused power and fine length on the austere and nicely complex finale. This is perhaps a bit light compared to a classically styled Riche, but it certainly is classy and may well add body with time in bottle as the structure is present to allow it to age well over the next two decades. Drinking range: 2034 - Rating: 91-94 Allen Meadows, www.Burghound.com (Jan 2021)

A treat. Anne Gros owns 0.6ha of old vines (50-70 years) in Richebourg, most of it in Les Verroilles, with a little extending into Les Richebourgs. The fruit is completely destemmed prior to fermentation, and Gros relates that the Richbourg grapes are sturdy enough to continue to pigeage (punching down) longer than other parcels. The firm extraction yields a wine of marvellous density but not one that is lacking the trademark Anne Gros velvety, unctuous fruit character. A superb wine capable of decades of cellaring if desired. Drinking range: 2029 - 2059 Rating: 98 Decanter Magazine (Jan 2021)

The 2019 Richebourg Grand Cru is very pure and focused, featuring strawberry, raspberry, orange peel and blood orange aromas; a hint of black truffle emerges with time. The palate is medium-bodied with firm but fine tannins. Wonderfully focused, spicier and more savory than the 2018, leading into a long finish, this is a superb Richebourg, even if at the moment I would like to see more of its aristocratic origin. Drinking range: 2025 - 2050 Rating: 93-95 Neal Martin, www.vinous.com (Dec 2020)