Domaine de la Romanée Conti, Richebourg Grand Cru 2005

robert_parker95

Reviewed by: David Schildknecht

The 2005 Richebourg suggests lightly cooked cherry, lilies, and vanilla-chocolate pot de creme, coming onto the palate with a gentle wave of creamy fruit, almost shockingly open-knit and youthfully generous. Low-toned richness of salted beef broth and a hint of wet stone add hints of gravitas, but despite ample (refined) tannins, there is nothing to restrain a veritable gushing of ripe, juicy, sweet finishing fruit. This might close up for a time, but these early indications suggest one ought to revisit it in 3-5 years and expect it to offer much earlier enjoyment than the Grands-Echezeaux or Romanee-St.-Vivant. Once the grapes in these fabled vineyards had reached a potential alcohol of 13%, reports Aubert de Villaine, he was ready to pick, because conditions had seldom been so conducive to perfect ripeness (including that of the stems). It was all done in a week, commencing with La Tache and Romanee Conti, and finishing on September 23 with Romanee-St.-Vivant (and Montrachet, on which I shall report at a future date). De Villaine intended to bottle in March or April by gravity in six-barrel lots, as has become general practice here over the past decade. Importer: Wilson-Daniels, St. Helena, CA; tel. (707) 963-9661.

robert_parker98

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

A deep ruby colour with crimson rim. The nose wafts seductively from the glass and caresses the senses: cherries and wild strawberries with orange and apricot sorbet developing after 20 minutes in the glass. Very harmonious and sensuous, hints of orange-blossom after 30 minutes. The palate is medium-bodied, beautifully balanced, utterly harmonious and incredibly refined. Vibrant acidity, immense precision and tension with an almost weightless, yet intense finish of ebullient red fruits: cherry, redcurrant and boysenberry with a hint of black tea. Very long and lingering at the finish. A wine you wish will never end. Probably the best Richebourg from Romanee-Conti that I have encountered. Tasted February 2008.

vinous98

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

The 2005 Richebourg makes a strong argument that the answer to that question might be a resounding ‘yes!’ Huge beams of tannin are present but nearly covered by the sheer intensity the fruit. Black cherry, plum, mint, lavender and graphite give the 2005 much of its gravitas. Tonight, the 2005 is insanely beautiful and absolutely stellar, and I say that never having truly fallen for the domaine’s Richebourg. The 2005, though, well, it simply will not be denied.

vinous94

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

Bright ruby-red. Quite closed on the nose, hinting at dark cherry, chocolate and mocha. Then ripe, sweet and voluptuous in the mouth, with a thick texture leavened by harmonious acidity and lifted by sexy spices and flowers. This currently conveys a drier impression and comes off as more aggressive than the RSV, which is more likeable today. My sample appears to be slightly muted by some sulfur. Best today on the very long finish, which features big but thoroughly buffered tannins. This will need at least 15 years of aging.

vinous96

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

Full ruby-red. Black fruits, violet, minerals, exotic spices and dark chocolate on the nose. Large-scaled and solid, but with less early sweetness and accessibility than the RSV. This has a medicinal reserve. Best today on the very long, palate-saturating finish, which features big, chewy, thoroughly ripe tannins and strong, low-toned earthy nuances.