Domaine de la Romanée Conti, Richebourg Grand Cru 1996

robert_parker96

Reviewed by: Pierre Rovani

As is often the case with this youthful wine, the nose was extremely reticent. After considerable coaxing, I had a peek at this offering's deeply ripe dark fruit aromatics. But what a flavor profile! A massive explosion of profound and intense cherries, raspberries, boysenberries, and strawberries coated my palate. It is a medium-to-full-bodied, densely-fruited, and powerful wine that is perfectly balanced and delineated. Projected maturity: 2005-2018. Importer: Wilson-Daniels, St. Helena, CA; tel. (707) 963-9661.

robert_parker96

Reviewed by: William Kelley

The 1996 Richebourg Grand Cru is drinking beautifully and might actually surpass La Tâche in this vintage; certainly, I have yet to drink a 1996 La Tâche as good as this particular bottle of Richebourg. Wafting from the glass with an inviting bouquet of plummy fruit mingled with wilted rose petals, peonies, exotic spices, orange rind and forest floor, it's full-bodied, fleshy and enveloping, with none of the vintage's tendency toward asperity in evidence, exhibiting melting tannins and a seamless, velvety profile. This is really beginning to show well today.

robert_parker96

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Intriguing to compare this directly with the Richebourg 1996 from Leroy: two different styles, both virtuous. Firstly, the DRC appears more mature than Leroy, with a more distinct tawny, brick red rim. The nose is closed at first, and then develops into a lovely, “warm” bouquet of wild strawberry, hot bricks, cherry and a touch of black coffee. The palate is a reluctant extrovert, bashful at first but then evolving into a stunning; rich wine with ripe cherry, raspberry, plum and cooked meats, all with a refreshing citrus edge. Very good acidity. For me, this is just a little more engaging than Leroy’s Richebourg. The persistency on the finish augurs for a long-lasting wine. Drinking 2010-2035. Tasted November 2006.

robert_parker97

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Ruby core. Clear rim. Wonderful perfumed nose of violets and a touch of steaming black coffee. The palate is impressive with a dense, firm tannic structure with layers of wild strawberry, raspberry and a little plum. Very powerful and more authoritive than the 1995. Very intense on the finish. Tasted February 1999.

vinous95

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 1996 Richebourg Grand Cru is a wine that I have drunk several times. The intense nose has opened a little since my last encounter, evolving to offer enticing scents of violet and earthenware notes; a hint of brine emerges with time. The palate is as introverted as previous bottles but opens with blackberry, meat juices and briar. There is quite a sharp line of acidity that keeps it edgy in style, and still that persistent finish. Superb. Tasted at the domaine with Bertrand de Villaine.

vinous93

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

Good deep red-ruby. Wild but rather opaque on the deeply pitched nose; hints at cassis and leather. Gives an impression of higher acidity than the foregoing wines and comes across as a bit disjointed today. With less fat showing today, the tannins are a bit tough. But this wine is hiding more than it's showing today.

vinous94

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

Slightly darker ruby-red. Restrained, pure aromas of cassis and spice. Sweeter and brighter on the palate, with a pungent mineral firmness and vibrant acidity. Still, this is atypically supple for Richebourg; in comparison, the '95 version seems more classic for the site. Very subtle on the back end, with the enticing sweetness carrying through.

robert_parker96

Reviewed by: Pierre Rovani

The 1996 Richebourg Grand Cru is drinking beautifully and might actually surpass La Tâche in this vintage; certainly, I have yet to drink a 1996 La Tâche as good as this particular bottle of Richebourg. Wafting from the glass with an inviting bouquet of plummy fruit mingled with wilted rose petals, peonies, exotic spices, orange rind and forest floor, it's full-bodied, fleshy and enveloping, with none of the vintage's tendency toward asperity in evidence, exhibiting melting tannins and a seamless, velvety profile. This is really beginning to show well today.