DOMAINE DE LA ROMANEE-CONTI Richebourg Grand Cru 2017 Bottle

Description

The 2017 Richebourg Grand Cru has garnered exceptional acclaim, including 97 points from Vinous and 96 points from Decanter. This wine presents a riveting bouquet of Earl Grey-tinged red fruit, forest floor, and crushed stone, showcasing remarkable delineation. The palate reveals exquisite balance, with a powdery texture and gentle grip, layered with dark berry fruit, hints of bay leaf, and cola. Though it requires time to develop fully, the temptation to indulge early is understandable. Decanter notes its earthy, savoury aromas and a sappy, focused palate with notes of pomegranate and redcurrant, underpinned by framing oak. With a drinking window from 2027 to 2037, this Richebourg promises to evolve beautifully, offering intense depth and complexity.

*****

VINOUS 97 points
The 2017 Richebourg Grand Cru is a fitting end to a vertical that several attendees voted wine of the night. It has a riveting bouquet, very harmonious with Earl-Grey-tinged red fruit, forest floor and hints of crushed stone. Wonderful delineation. The palate has exquisite balance and poise, a little powdery in texture with gentle grip. Layered dark berry fruit with hints of bay leaf and cola build towards the finish. Yes, it does need time, but I would not begrudge anyone giving into temptation in the near future. Tasted at the Richebourg vertical dinner in Taipei. - Neal Martin

DECANTER 96 points
Tasted by Tim Atkin MW(at Corney & Barrow, London, 29 Jan 2020)
Part of First taste: Domaine de la Romanée-Conti 2017 wines
Richebourg can often be quite closed at this point in its development, but the comparative brightness and charm of the 2017 vintage are apparent here too. Earthy, savoury, slightly animal aromas with some fresh tobacco notes from whole bunch fermentation lead you into a palate that is sappy, chiseled and focused, with notes of pomegranate, redcurrant and citrus, scented, framing oak and impressive underlying grip, intensity and depth.
Drinking Window 2027 - 2037

JANCIS ROBINSON 18.5+ points
Drink: 2032 - 2055
Pale garnet. Slightly mute nose but with the impression of masses underneath. Light and jewelly with power surging up towards the finish. Undertow of pomegranate and autumn undergrowth. Neat and lightly chewy. Transparent and sort of weightless. Decidedly aérien! 1,261 cases

THE WINE ADVOCATE 95 points
Drink Date: 2027 - 2060
Reviewed by: William Kelley, Issue Date: 9th Jan 2020, Source: January 2020 Week 2, The Wine Advocate
The 2017 Richebourg Grand Cru offers up generous aromas of ripe strawberries, raspberries, cinnamon and coniferous forest floor, framed by a lavish application of creamy new oak that's less immediately integrated than in the Domaine's other wines at this early stage. On the palate, the Richebourg is full-bodied, rich and multidimensional, with a lavishly enveloping attack and supple structuring tannins that are almost entirely concealed by its deep core of fruit. Long and sapid, this is a spectacular wine in the making.