Wine Advisor
Gros Frere et Soeur, Richebourg Grand Cru 1990
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
A "blockbuster" Richebourg that Bernard gave us to accompany our lunch. A huge rich, raisin, blackcurrant nose with a touch of dark chocolate. It lacks a little finesse on the palate, quite brambly, very rich and rounded, though not polished. Firm, heavyweight finish that reminds me of a Musigny. Still firm tannins so another 5 years. Tasted July 1999.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The last time I tasted this was with Bernard Gros over lunch in 1997 or 1998. I lauded it then, but it seems to have flagged in the interim. A meaty, leathery nose with a touch of black olives, lacking some delineation and freshness. The palate is rich, sappy with notes of black olives and mushrooms. It still has a real fatness, savouriness to it but it seems excessively oaky on the heavy finish. I preferred this more in its youth. Drinking 2007-2015. Tasted November 2006.
Reviewed by: Robert M. Parker, Jr.
Bernard Gros' 1990 Richebourg is similar in style to the 1990 Clos de Vougeot. An amazingly rich, voluptuous, thick, chewy wine, it is bursting with black fruits and toasty new oak. This opulent, viscous, well-endowed wine requires several years of cellaring, but will provide magical drinking over the following 10-12 years. Potentially, the 1990s are Bernard Gros' finest and most classically made wines. The glories are the three super-expensive, limited edition grands crus, the Grands Echezeaux, the Clos de Vougeot, and the Richebourg. Importer: Robert Kacher Selections, Washington, DC.
About the Producer
Domaine Gros Frere et Soeur is located in the Cotes de Nuits wine region of Burgundy, France. It is the most popular of the four Gros family estates in the local village of Vosne-Romanee. Wine lovers have nicknamed it the 'Great Golden Chalice' because of the magnificent golden chalice emblazoned on its label. The Gros family is a well-known local winemaking family, and the current owner is Bernard. Bernard's commitment to improving the quality of his wines, combining traditional winemaking methods with new equipment, has improved many of the inherent deficiencies of Pinot Noir, resulting in a more refined Burgundian wine. His winemaking techniques are first class and he is the only winery in Burgundy to use a concentrator to thicken the wine, in addition to organic fertilisation. The winery is 100% de-stemmed and insists on using natural yeasts from the finest top quality vineyards for fermentation, with no deliberate cold maceration. All red wines are matured in 100% new oak barrels. The style of Château Gros is known for its full-bodied, rich, round and fat wines, which are unforgettable and have many die-hard supporters. Situated in the premier vineyard of the village of Vaughan-Romanée, Château Gros is often the centre of attention at wine tastings and auctions. The winery's current releases include Richebourg Grand Cru, Clos de Vougeot Musigni Grand Cru, Echezeaux Grand Cru and Vosne-Romanee, among others, which are very popular with consumers.
