Domaine Leroy, Richebourg Grand Cru 1999

robert_parker96

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The Richebourg ’99 has a deep, broody nose with dark berried fruit entwined with damp moss, crushed stone and wild moorland. Later, it has become prettier with hints of dried apricot and a ferrous element. The palate is full-bodied with very fine tannins; cranberry, wild strawberry, tart cherry but it is all so tightly coiled and really not wanting to come out and play, rendering this a sulky Richebourg. But it purrs like a Rolls Royce, so get in the drivers seat in 5-6 years time. Drink 2015-2030+ Tasted November 2009.

robert_parker95

Reviewed by: William Kelley

The 1999 Richebourg Grand Cru is very special, bursting from the glass with a lavish bouquet of raw cocoa, Asian spices, ripe plums, rose petal and potpourri. On the palate, it's full-bodied, ample and perfumed, with a gourmand, layered mid-palate, melting tannins and a long, beautifully delineated finish. In recent vintages, I've tended to prefer the Domaine's Romanée-Saint-Vivant to its Richebourg, but in 1999 it's the latter that has the edge.

robert_parker95

Reviewed by: Pierre Rovani

The medium to dark ruby-colored 1999 Richebourg has a demure nose that leads to a broad-shouldered, powerful, concentrated personality. This muscular, masculine wine is packed with huge waves of black cherries, plums, and blueberries. Velvety-textured and dense, this marvelous offering should be at its peak of maturity between 2005 and 2018. Importer: Martine's Wines, San Raphael, CA; tel. (415) 485-1800.

vinous97

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

The 1999 Richebourg Grand Cru has an extravagant, vivacious bouquet with layer upon layer of red fruit infused with glycerin, peony and orange blossom. You could almost describe this as “raucous,” albeit in a positive sense – like entering a lively party when you want to celebrate. The palate is framed by saturated tannin and almost “glossy” in texture compared with the same wine from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. This is a wine that caresses the senses, doing everything in its considerable power to seduce. And yet it does not quite deliver the intellect of the corresponding DRC; it is more hedonistic and cares less for challenging the cerebral membrane. 2,685 bottles produced. Tasted at the DRC/Leroy comparative dinner in Hong Kong.