2012 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Richebourg Grand Cru

The 2012 Richebourg is fascinating to taste after the Romanée St.-Vivant because in this vintage their personalities appear to be inverted. The RSV is almost unapproachable, while the Richebourg is all about polish. Although naturally quite introverted at this stage, the Richebourg shows off marvelous density. Savory herbs, sweet tobacco and smoke add nuance on the creamy, voluptuous finish. The Richebourg tannins are there, but today they are nearly buried by the wine's incredibly deep fruit.

Bright, full red. Wilder and blacker on the nose than the RSV and also a bit reduced, offering scents of cassis, licorice, violet and bitter chocolate. Densely packed, sappy and sweet, offering a distinctly three-dimensional texture to its intense dark berry, spice and truffley underbrush flavors. The slowly mounting, precise, firmly tannic finish is still a bit austere but leaves the palate vibrating with spices and flowers.

The Richebourg 2012 was picked September 27-28 at just 19 hectoliters per hectare, one of the lowest yields in this vintage. This has a serious bouquet, reserved at first, more earth than air. Unusual for this cuvee, there is a sense of exoticism here, a Richebourg daring to show a bit of ankle. Blackberry pastille intermingle with wilted violets, and there is a touch of warmth that belies the precocity of the growing season. Leaving it aside for 10 minutes, there are hints of Provençal herbs, broom and even fennel. The palate is medium-bodied and the first thing that strikes you is its backbone. Well, this is Richebourg after all. But there is an arching structure to this wine that is disguised by the silkiness of its texture, plus an almost citrus freshness and brightness on the finish. This is a Richebourg that will make you giddy with pleasure. 634 cases produced.