2011 DRC Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Richebourg Grand Cru

This is also intensely floral, in fact it may very well be the most floral wine in the range. Though it may not be quite as elegant as the Romanée St. Vivant it is arguably even more aromatically complex with a wonderfully fresh if restrained nose of hoisin, black fruit, soy and anise. There is remarkable concentration of dry extract that completely buffers the otherwise tightly wound tannic spine while pushing it to the background as the broad-shouldered flavors culminate in a balanced, long and velvety mineral-inflected finish that delivers astonishing persistence. While the Domaine's 2011s will in general drink well earlier than is typical, the Riche may be an exception to that generalization. (1/2014)

A wine of depth, power and richness, the 2011 Richebourg brings together the intensity of the Grands-Échézeaux with floral overtones and tannins that resemble those of the Romanée St.-Vivant, making for a wonderfully complete Burgundy. Savory and floral notes meld into graphite, plum and violet notes, leading to a finish graced with substantial energy and polish. (AG) (3/2014)

The 2011 Richebourg was picked on 7 and 8 September at 28.36hl/ha. It has a very pure bouquet, a mixture of blackberry, raspberry leaf, freshly tilled meadow and a touch of cold stone. It is not a powerful bouquet, but delineated and very focused. The palate is not dissimilar to the Grands Echezeaux on the entry: linear and poised with crisp brambly red fruit. But it swerves another way mid-through, developing a wonderful candied core of strawberry and Morello and a caressing finish sending ripples of pleasure across the senses. In many ways it is a self-effacing Richebourg with charm and candour, but I Richebourg that I suspect may be deceptively long lived. The Richebourg 2011 is a fair prince rather than a grand king. (NM) (2/2014)

Bright, dark red. Darker in its fruit character than the RSV, offering scents of black cherry, candied blackberry, cocoa powder and violet, with a distinct medicinal reserve. Large-scaled, dense and pure, showing noteworthy muscle to the flavors of blueberry liqueur and spices. Classically dry and very long on the back end. Less likable today than the RSV but the finishing fruit is explosive. (ST) 94+ (3/2014)

Note that this is now served before the Romanée-St-Vivant, so much work having been lavished on this vineyard. Very bright crimson. Very broad and flattering - very immediate on the nose. Heady and scented - hugely rich and transcends the burgundian norm in its spice rack of intriguing aromas. The fruit is all drawn up like a drawstring purse into the tight, firm finish. Long and rich. Such a charmer. 18.5/20 points (JR) (2/2014)