Domaine de la Romanée Conti, Richebourg Grand Cru 2017

robert_parker94

Reviewed by: William Kelley

The 2017 Richebourg Grand Cru offers up a richer, plummier bouquet, with aromas of dark chocolate, peony, rich soil and orange rind complementing its fruit tones. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, both ampler and more satiny than the Romanée-Saint-Vivant, with a surprisingly melting, tender finish. Aubert de Villaine observes that the two grands crus seem to have traded stylistic places this year, and though the Richebourg remains somewhat larger-scaled and fleshier, it's true.

robert_parker95

Reviewed by: William Kelley

The 2017 Richebourg Grand Cru offers up generous aromas of ripe strawberries, raspberries, cinnamon and coniferous forest floor, framed by a lavish application of creamy new oak that's less immediately integrated than in the Domaine's other wines at this early stage. On the palate, the Richebourg is full-bodied, rich and multidimensional, with a lavishly enveloping attack and supple structuring tannins that are almost entirely concealed by its deep core of fruit. Long and sapid, this is a spectacular wine in the making.

vinous95

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

The 2017 Richebourg Grand Cru is a Burgundy of Cistercian austerity. Searing tannins give the Richebourg its trademark sense of energy and vibrancy. White pepper, mint, dried flowers and bright red berry fruit are all beautifully delineated, with underlying beams of minerality and salinity that lend dimension. Richebourg is very rarely finessed, but is more typically a wine of brawn and pure power, as it is here. A range of bright, floral/savory accents suggest a bit more elegance may lie ahead. We will see. My colleagues appreciate the Richebourg more than I do. Harvest began the afternoon of September 8, after Romanée-Conti. Rain on the 9th caused a break in picking for the day. The last of the Richebourg came in on the 10th.

vinous93

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2017 Richebourg Grand Cru was picked on September 8 and 10 at 37hl/ha and bottled from February 20 until March 25. It has a very fragrant and floral bouquet that would be easier to conflate with Romanée-Saint-Vivant, which was served after the Richebourg. The seductive nose reveals rose petals, vivid red fruit and a touch of sea spray. The palate is medium-bodied with tangy orange and marmalade veins on the entry, and plenty of red fruit that segues into a much more reserved finish. Some might argue that this is a bit of a lightweight Richebourg; rather, it is one that prioritizes grace and elegance, to use the words of Aubert de Villaine. 1,261 cases produced. Tasted at Corney & Barrow’s annual in-bottle tasting in London.

vinous95

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2017 Richebourg Grand Cru was picked on the afternoon of September 8, interrupted by rain, then the remainder was picked on September 10. It is slightly darker in color than the Romanée-Saint-Vivant. This is much more mercurial and slightly vegetal at first, although that dissipates with aeration after just a couple of minutes, to be replaced by more estuarine scents. Very well defined and focused, with more dark fruit emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, a crisp line of acidity and touches of black pepper filtering through the red berry fruit. There is very impressive length here, but there is also a sense of weightlessness, while the aftertaste lingers more than a minute in the mouth.

vinous95

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2017 Richebourg Grand Cru is a Burgundy of Cistercian austerity. Searing tannins give the Richebourg its trademark sense of energy and vibrancy. White pepper, mint, dried flowers and bright red berry fruit are all beautifully delineated, with underlying beams of minerality and salinity that lend dimension. Richebourg is very rarely finessed, but is more typically a wine of brawn and pure power, as it is here. A range of bright, floral/savory accents suggest a bit more elegance may lie ahead. We will see. My colleagues appreciate the Richebourg more than I do. Harvest began the afternoon of September 8, after Romanée-Conti. Rain on the 9th caused a break in picking for the day. The last of the Richebourg came in on the 10th.