No deeper in colour than the Romanee St-Vivant but expressing a fresher rim. Here there are so many waves of flavour and that sense of precision which indicates that the Richebourg transcends the gourmand style of the vintage. It is perfectly poised in ripeness, while the peonies and dark fruit complement the fresher red fruit, fresh white pepper behind, a wine in its infancy. Picked at the perfect moment. Exceptional length. In relation to their different appellations, this is my standout of the tasting.

The 2019 Richebourg Grand Cru is a magical wine, even at this early stage, and it has amply realized all the potential it showed in barrel. Soaring from the glass with aromas of sweet wild berries, blood orange, Indian spices and rose petals, it's full-bodied, ample and velvety, with a sumptuous, enveloping core of vibrant fruit and a seamless, multidimensional profile. Revealing immense concentration, its chassis of perfectly ripe, refined tannins only makes itself felt on the finish, but its charm is deceptive, because this Richebourg is holding plenty in reserve for the future. This was a particularly memorable tasting at the Domaine de la Romanee-Conti. Revisiting the bottled 2019s was thrilling, as these are some of the most sensual, dramatic young wines I've ever tasted at this address; and the young 2020s, tasted from barrel (with the exception of several cuvees that had been recently racked), show immense potential too. A few small evolutions have been made in the cellars in the last few years, with Tonnellerie La Grange increasingly in evidence alongside historically dominant François Frères on the red side of the ledger, and barrels from Seguin Morey, Damy and Taransaud to be found in the new room devoted to the domaine's white wines. Bottling is also a touch earlier (more...)

In contrast to the prior wines, this is all but aromatically mute and requires extended swirling to coax the ripe but wonderfully fresh aromas of dazzlingly spicy, floral and essence of dark cherry scents to reveal themselves. As is usually the case, there is even better size, weight and mid-palate density to the big-bodied and very serious mineral-driven flavours that possess that wonderful inner mouth perfume along with a highly seductive texture that gradually gives way to a hugely long finish that is supported by dense but relatively fine tannins that provide plenty of grip while making clear that this is going to develop and last over the next 50 years, and more is not out of the question. Brilliant.

The 2019 Richebourg Grand Cru was picked on 15 and 16 of September at 21hL/ha. Slightly lighter compared to the Grands Echezeaux, it has a very transparent bouquet, yet introspective, certainly more tertiary in style with a light ferrous note loitering in the wings. This repays patience, opening with incense and a very subtle lavender aroma. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, gentle but insistent grip, finely-tuned with a delicate touch of spice. Quite linear, this is a correct Richebourg that does not want to give too much away at this stage. What is remarkable about this wine is the persistence on the finish, a residual pepperiness that lingers for 60 seconds. A Richebourg imbued with prowess. 678 cases produced. Tasted at Corney & Barrow’s annual in bottle tasting in London. (NM)