2012 Domaine Anne Gros Richebourg Grand Cru

Full medium red. Very subdued but pure aromas of black cherry, black raspberry, licorice and wild herbs. Wonderfully rich and dense yet somehow weightless; distinctly wilder than the Clos Vougeot, showing an almost liqueur-like ripeness but also strong acidity to its hard candy flavors. I don't find the Oriental spice character this wine typically demonstrates in the early going, but there's no denying this wine's density and powerful fruit. It will need substantial cellaring to achieve its adult harmony.

(tasted from barrel): Deep, subtle aromas of black cherry, blueberry, white pepper, spices and minerals. Dense, sappy and highly concentrated; very closed today but not quite austere. Finishes with firm tannic spine, great solidity and explosive fruit.

Here too there is enough wood to notice and it stops just short of impeding the appreciation of the otherwise wonderfully spicy aromas plum, earth, dark currant and fennel nuances. There is a velvety and very round palate impression though the intense minerality adds lift to the big-bodied and well-concentrated flavors, all wrapped in a muscular and explosively long finish. This is impressive and robust. Tasted: Jan 15, 2014. Drink: 2029+