Unbelievably elegant. At its peak and I believe it will stay their for a long time. Multilayered with strawberry, perfectly balanced acidity and a super long finish. This is what the best of Richebourg is meant to be
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Roses, red berries, smoke, spices, underbrush, a now-subdued outburst of the whole cluster spectrum. Perfect acidity and texture in the mouth. At a great place right now.
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Very light red in the glass with an expansive mix of crushed strawberries, subtle rose petals and faint saddle leather on the nose. A killer bourgogne rouge extraordinaire with impressive midpalate of sweet dried cranberries. Classic so-called “Peacock Tail” finish slamming the olfactory senses on the back end that draws well heeled Burg lovers from other planets (Venus comes to mind) to the table for a sniff and a sip of the greatest there ever was! The DRC big three (RC, LT and Rich) invariably rule the waves in the wine sea, as they seem to peak in 30-60 years, when these sweet strawberries and rose petals surface as the arguably pleasant stemminess ameliorates. Easy choice for bottle of the year….and 2nd best 78 ever served to me, with the best being a 1978 DRC RC-served by you know who (D and L) on December 12th , 2011.
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Tasted blind, it was later revealed that this wine had a 5.5 cm fill and SOS. It had a light red center with tawny rims that made it look much older than it was. The medium+ intensity nose put forth notes of black cherries, sauteed rhubarb, minerals, and sous bois.
In the mouth, this wine was gorgeously integrated with nice richness and a fine-grained texture. It had light rounded tannin and great length.
This wine had the hallmark of a great wines, a light weight in the mouth but a huge flavor impact. This bottle was super tasty but on its last legs. It was essentially a preview of what well stored bottles will taste like in 30+ years. Pristine bottles should be in the zone and will likely rate a point or two higher.
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My second of two bottles. Whereas the prior one was flawed, marred by some sort of mold, this was a very different story, notwithstanding a terrifyingly low fill. Opened 6 hours in advance to allow to slow-ox. The ancient-looking cork came out relatively whole, but for a stub bit that tumbled into the wine. No signs of seepage, but the edges were crusted with a fine dusting that I think may have been a sort of deterioration of the metal seal. I could tell we were in luck from the sweet fruit aromas that quickly emerged, and was not to be disappointed when I returned to the cellar that evening. My friend and I started with a small pour, remarking on how light-colored, almost translucent the wine was in the glass. From a single sip, he said he sensed a touch of madeirization, but I didn't detect any such aspect. Maybe he was trying to dampen expectations? The fruit was very present for me, backed up by a rich, glycerined texture, presumably from long-ago new oak. In any case, we topped up our pours and set the glasses aside for thirty minutes or so. Upon returning, it was indisputable that the wine had gained density in appearance, something we had not noticed any time before. And the wine was singing! Sweet and tart red fruit: cranberries, rhubarb, orange oil and something more exotic we couldn't identify exactly (he said cola at one point but I didn't agree). The wine continued to change throughout the evening, showing smoked meat, bacon fat, exotic spice and that awesome viscosity. My friend had been with me a week before when I gave two wines (1964 Ausone and 1990 Cailloux Centenaire) 100 points each -- he gleefully pronounced these better! For me, this Richebourg fell fractionally below perfection, but when emotion is taken into account it ranks as amongst my most unforgettable wines.
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Rich dark red fruit and a full palate. More spice notes with air time. Even better after an hour of air and was still improving after 1.5 hours. Clean profile to this bottle. 96-97
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A 40-Year Retrospective on 1978's (Los Olivos, CA): I held out hope despite the terrible fill, but those hopes were dashed when the cork was moldy. The wine was enveloped in a mustiness I could manage, whereas most found it terribly off-putting. The aromatics teased of what once was, hinting at sweet raspberry and balsam flavors that were masked by the moldiness.
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Small glass and not a ton of notes but man the perfume on this wine just leaped out of the glass. Medium color. Loads of spices, whole cluster, intense red berries with balance and nuance. In the glass this gains more spices, Asian five spice. A real treat to try this.
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Tasted blind, this wine had a deep red center with tawny rims. The high- intensity nose showed black cherries, cola, minerals, and some roasted game notes.
In the mouth, this wine was medium bodied with light tannin, crisp acidity, and great terrior. It had a lot of complexity and was completely resolved.
This was a lovely wine. However it was clear that this bottle, and maybe this wine, was heading down hill and not up hill. Thus, I suggest looking for an excuse to pop this wine unless your bottle is pristine.
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World's Greatest - Night I (Eleven Madison Park): The nose here is bigger and cooler than that on the RSV. A lot of spice in here too though. Roasted and clumsy nose. Better on the palate. Much better actually.
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Very Richebourg and quite distinct from the RSV, although sharing a pretty spice nose with this bottle being a darker complexion. Good depth, but not the cleanest bottle I have had. 93-94
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I found it leaking and the level was 1/2 way in the neck so as I took the capsule off, my heart sunk to find the cork was soaked and spongy. When I finally got the cork out and put it through an aerator, it was wonderful. Colour: Looked like a thinned out pinot, a light browning but still had that red hue. Nose: There was a slight oxidation so must have just caught it at the right time. As it sat in the decanter, the fruit started to come through. In the glass there was a soft berry at the front, with an aged undertone and a balance of wood at the back. Palate: Was so wonderful! With the delicate fruit at the front, could be mistaken for being thin however as we drank it, the fruit just stayed there, from the middle of the tong, through the mid palate and lingered for a long time after. Didn't take a sip for about 3 minutes and the flavour was still there in the mouth, the experience I will always remember and believe is a true character of what a great wine can only do. Was so sorry that it was only with simple steak but at least the flavours of the wine weren't masked by any sauces or spice. Still got 1 more of these in the cellar so will need to plan a dinner around this.
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Acker BYO - Highlights (Tribeca Grill): Beautiful, elegant, and soft at first but crescendos into a robust and spiced nose. Drying red cherry and cranberry. Quite light in colour actually. A fair bit of soil. So distinct and gorgeous. Ceramics and acrylics too. On the palate this has layers of maturing and drying red cherry fruit but still retains some lush juice. The finish stirs on. Just tremendous. A perfect bottle putting on quite a show.
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1978 DOMAINE de la ROMANEE CONTI RICHEBOURG- browning color with a tertiary fruit profile of mostly dried red and black fruit but some more secondary notes show up under the first layers; some spice and a lot of elegance.
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Complex aromatics of freshly grated ginger, menthol. Asian spice and black cherry. It had such a wonderfully sweet core of fruit and was surrounded by all sorts of savoury nuances. It had great minerality and left a wonderful inner mouth perfume once swallowing.
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low fill. classic drc nose of great purity, elegance, and transparence: the essence of PN; reminiscent of the 62 but less rich. tannins completely resolved, but still some real grip in harmonious slightly spicy, deep, brooding fruit of great length. not up to the 62 or the 71, but still a great wine.
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As elegant as Richebourg gets. Clarity, purity, and symphonic cohesion without quite the geometric precision of R-C or the best LaT. A masterpiece whose only betters are its costlier siblings.
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Lithe nose with allspice, red fruit, cola and light earth tones. Started quite tight and needed 45 minutes to show its full bouquet of aromas. A darker palate in marked contrast to the nose. This was a very good bottle and while lacking some of the structure on the palate of the '78 La Tache, this was as close as I've seen the '78 Richebourg come to that standard. After four hours the wine was still going strong although the palate started to peel apart with a faint bitterness emerging
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This was opened alongside a bevy of other Burgs but really stood out (shocking, I know) on its own. Beautiful rose petal aromas, soy and Asian spices wrapped around a core of light-bodied dark fruits, with sweet earth and minerals and iron backing them up. Surprisingly, there wasn't as much sous-bois as I'd expect, but I wasn't going to complain, it was such a lovely thing to smell. On the palate, it had similar notes, with phenomenal grip and a long ethereal finish that made this a real pleasure to drink (not taste). Despite its masculinity, it showed grace and elegance that belied a hidden powerful structure.
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MSNC (Cepage): Extremely ripe and forward. Irresistible bouquet of dried rose petals, sweet earth and exotic spices. Like the GE and RSV, it tasted considerably younger than the Jayer and Rousseau.
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Stunning aromatics of soy, freshly tilled earth, blood, violets and sweet fruits. Its liquid velvet as it hits the palate, lapping around the gums delivering a silky umami hit to every crevice of the mouth. It has perfect poise and shape and finishes with such authority, leaving the most wondrous, sensual impression once swallowed.
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Tasted back to back with a 78 La tache, and actually preferred the Riche. Not as knockout of a bouquet as the La Tache, but seemed to have better preserved fruit. A little tingly sensation immediately after opening, which quieted down after a few minutes and the wine really opened up. Lots of rich blackberries and caramel.
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I have found it difficult to get past the stalk/spice character that is in many of the D.R.C wines I've tasted. This wine had that element of greeness/sauvage but also had some nice red currant pluminess to go with it. The palate was significantly better with a very long finish showing the true pedigree of the vineyard. Slight grip from the tannins but not drying yet. Not my favourite style but still very good.
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5/3/2023 - ricknat1 Likes this wine: 97 Points
Unbelievably elegant. At its peak and I believe it will stay their for a long time. Multilayered with strawberry, perfectly balanced acidity and a super long finish. This is what the best of Richebourg is meant to be
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12/13/2022 - blacktruffle Likes this wine: 97 Points
Roses, red berries, smoke, spices, underbrush, a now-subdued outburst of the whole cluster spectrum. Perfect acidity and texture in the mouth. At a great place right now.
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11/6/2021 - ricardito Likes this wine: 98 Points
Very light red in the glass with an expansive mix of crushed strawberries, subtle rose petals and faint saddle leather on the nose. A killer bourgogne rouge extraordinaire with impressive midpalate of sweet dried cranberries. Classic so-called “Peacock Tail” finish slamming the olfactory senses on the back end that draws well heeled Burg lovers from other planets (Venus comes to mind) to the table for a sniff and a sip of the greatest there ever was! The DRC big three (RC, LT and Rich) invariably rule the waves in the wine sea, as they seem to peak in 30-60 years, when these sweet strawberries and rose petals surface as the arguably pleasant stemminess ameliorates. Easy choice for bottle of the year….and 2nd best 78 ever served to me, with the best being a 1978 DRC RC-served by you know who (D and L) on December 12th , 2011.
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10/11/2020 - fclarity wrote: 96 Points
Tasted blind, it was later revealed that this wine had a 5.5 cm fill and SOS. It had a light red center with tawny rims that made it look much older than it was. The medium+ intensity nose put forth notes of black cherries, sauteed rhubarb, minerals, and sous bois.
In the mouth, this wine was gorgeously integrated with nice richness and a fine-grained texture. It had light rounded tannin and great length.
This wine had the hallmark of a great wines, a light weight in the mouth but a huge flavor impact. This bottle was super tasty but on its last legs. It was essentially a preview of what well stored bottles will taste like in 30+ years.
Pristine bottles should be in the zone and will likely rate a point or two higher.
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9/26/2020 - tinybubbles Likes this wine: 96 Points
Well structured. Abundant purple fruits. More mineral tones vs the La Tache and without the soaring spice of that bottle. Very good bottle.
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5/17/2019 - tinybubbles Likes this wine: 96 Points
Great bottle with balanced purple fruit, floral notes and a mix of spices. 96-97
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4/13/2019 - JonnyG Likes this wine: 99 Points
My second of two bottles. Whereas the prior one was flawed, marred by some sort of mold, this was a very different story, notwithstanding a terrifyingly low fill. Opened 6 hours in advance to allow to slow-ox. The ancient-looking cork came out relatively whole, but for a stub bit that tumbled into the wine. No signs of seepage, but the edges were crusted with a fine dusting that I think may have been a sort of deterioration of the metal seal. I could tell we were in luck from the sweet fruit aromas that quickly emerged, and was not to be disappointed when I returned to the cellar that evening. My friend and I started with a small pour, remarking on how light-colored, almost translucent the wine was in the glass. From a single sip, he said he sensed a touch of madeirization, but I didn't detect any such aspect. Maybe he was trying to dampen expectations? The fruit was very present for me, backed up by a rich, glycerined texture, presumably from long-ago new oak. In any case, we topped up our pours and set the glasses aside for thirty minutes or so. Upon returning, it was indisputable that the wine had gained density in appearance, something we had not noticed any time before. And the wine was singing! Sweet and tart red fruit: cranberries, rhubarb, orange oil and something more exotic we couldn't identify exactly (he said cola at one point but I didn't agree). The wine continued to change throughout the evening, showing smoked meat, bacon fat, exotic spice and that awesome viscosity. My friend had been with me a week before when I gave two wines (1964 Ausone and 1990 Cailloux Centenaire) 100 points each -- he gleefully pronounced these better! For me, this Richebourg fell fractionally below perfection, but when emotion is taken into account it ranks as amongst my most unforgettable wines.
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12/18/2018 - tinybubbles Likes this wine: 96 Points
Rich dark red fruit and a full palate. More spice notes with air time. Even better after an hour of air and was still improving after 1.5 hours. Clean profile to this bottle. 96-97
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11/15/2018 - JonnyG wrote: flawed
A 40-Year Retrospective on 1978's (Los Olivos, CA): I held out hope despite the terrible fill, but those hopes were dashed when the cork was moldy. The wine was enveloped in a mustiness I could manage, whereas most found it terribly off-putting. The aromatics teased of what once was, hinting at sweet raspberry and balsam flavors that were masked by the moldiness.
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8/18/2018 - tinybubbles Likes this wine: 97 Points
From magnum. Glorious nose and perfumed palate. Deep dark spice, tangy blackberry and black raspberry. Some dry soil tones. Spectacular.
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12/18/2017 - Kemo Sabe wrote: 96 Points
Small glass and not a ton of notes but man the perfume on this wine just leaped out of the glass. Medium color. Loads of spices, whole cluster, intense red berries with balance and nuance. In the glass this gains more spices, Asian five spice. A real treat to try this.
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7/23/2017 - fclarity wrote: 95 Points
Tasted blind, this wine had a deep red center with tawny rims. The high- intensity nose showed black cherries, cola, minerals, and some roasted game notes.
In the mouth, this wine was medium bodied with light tannin, crisp acidity, and great terrior. It had a lot of complexity and was completely resolved.
This was a lovely wine. However it was clear that this bottle, and maybe this wine, was heading down hill and not up hill. Thus, I suggest looking for an excuse to pop this wine unless your bottle is pristine.
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5/11/2017 - The Vines That Bind wrote: 94 Points
World's Greatest - Night I (Eleven Madison Park): The nose here is bigger and cooler than that on the RSV. A lot of spice in here too though. Roasted and clumsy nose. Better on the palate. Much better actually.
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5/11/2017 - tinybubbles Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very Richebourg and quite distinct from the RSV, although sharing a pretty spice nose with this bottle being a darker complexion. Good depth, but not the cleanest bottle I have had. 93-94
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2/13/2017 - Ewinecomau Likes this wine: 95 Points
I found it leaking and the level was 1/2 way in the neck so as I took the capsule off, my heart sunk to find the cork was soaked and spongy. When I finally got the cork out and put it through an aerator, it was wonderful.
Colour: Looked like a thinned out pinot, a light browning but still had that red hue.
Nose: There was a slight oxidation so must have just caught it at the right time. As it sat in the decanter, the fruit started to come through. In the glass there was a soft berry at the front, with an aged undertone and a balance of wood at the back.
Palate: Was so wonderful! With the delicate fruit at the front, could be mistaken for being thin however as we drank it, the fruit just stayed there, from the middle of the tong, through the mid palate and lingered for a long time after. Didn't take a sip for about 3 minutes and the flavour was still there in the mouth, the experience I will always remember and believe is a true character of what a great wine can only do.
Was so sorry that it was only with simple steak but at least the flavours of the wine weren't masked by any sauces or spice.
Still got 1 more of these in the cellar so will need to plan a dinner around this.
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12/13/2016 - The Vines That Bind wrote: 96 Points
Acker BYO - Highlights (Tribeca Grill): Beautiful, elegant, and soft at first but crescendos into a robust and spiced nose. Drying red cherry and cranberry. Quite light in colour actually. A fair bit of soil. So distinct and gorgeous. Ceramics and acrylics too. On the palate this has layers of maturing and drying red cherry fruit but still retains some lush juice. The finish stirs on. Just tremendous. A perfect bottle putting on quite a show.
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8/27/2016 - Blake Brown wrote:
1978 DOMAINE de la ROMANEE CONTI RICHEBOURG- browning color with a tertiary fruit profile of mostly dried red and black fruit but some more secondary notes show up under the first layers; some spice and a lot of elegance.
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3/14/2016 - Jeremy Holmes wrote:
Complex aromatics of freshly grated ginger, menthol. Asian spice and black cherry. It had such a wonderfully sweet core of fruit and was surrounded by all sorts of savoury nuances. It had great minerality and left a wonderful inner mouth perfume once swallowing.
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2/2/2016 - logos Likes this wine: 91 Points
low fill. classic drc nose of great purity, elegance, and transparence: the essence of PN; reminiscent of the 62 but less rich. tannins completely resolved, but still some real grip in harmonious slightly spicy, deep, brooding fruit of great length. not up to the 62 or the 71, but still a great wine.
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1/27/2016 - Vinomane wrote: 95 Points
As elegant as Richebourg gets. Clarity, purity, and symphonic cohesion without quite the geometric precision of R-C or the best LaT. A masterpiece whose only betters are its costlier siblings.
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11/18/2015 - tinybubbles Likes this wine: 96 Points
Lithe nose with allspice, red fruit, cola and light earth tones. Started quite tight and needed 45 minutes to show its full bouquet of aromas. A darker palate in marked contrast to the nose. This was a very good bottle and while lacking some of the structure on the palate of the '78 La Tache, this was as close as I've seen the '78 Richebourg come to that standard. After four hours the wine was still going strong although the palate started to peel apart with a faint bitterness emerging
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3/14/2015 - Sonoma Duck wrote: 92 Points
Decanted, light ruby, nice aromatics, well stored by a friend but I think this wine is past its "Sell by" date by 3-5 years.
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9/27/2012 - Vinotas wrote:
This was opened alongside a bevy of other Burgs but really stood out (shocking, I know) on its own. Beautiful rose petal aromas, soy and Asian spices wrapped around a core of light-bodied dark fruits, with sweet earth and minerals and iron backing them up. Surprisingly, there wasn't as much sous-bois as I'd expect, but I wasn't going to complain, it was such a lovely thing to smell. On the palate, it had similar notes, with phenomenal grip and a long ethereal finish that made this a real pleasure to drink (not taste). Despite its masculinity, it showed grace and elegance that belied a hidden powerful structure.
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3/2/2012 - steinersing wrote: 94 Points
Rare Wine Dinner - quick impressions: Beautiful body and length. Elegant sweetness. Ahead of the LT 78
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2/22/2012 - Burgundy Al wrote: 93 Points
Legends Dinner at La Paulee de San Francisco (Napa Valley Reserve - St. Helena CA): Ripe black cherry aromas with cinnamon, nutmeg and allspice provide an alluring start. Same black cherry on palate, seemingly less lush and ripe than the nose implied to me. Well structured, powerful finish.
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6/26/2011 - Lord Rayas wrote: 96 Points
MSNC (Cepage): Extremely ripe and forward. Irresistible bouquet of dried rose petals, sweet earth and exotic spices. Like the GE and RSV, it tasted considerably younger than the Jayer and Rousseau.
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5/23/2009 - Jeremy Holmes wrote:
Stunning aromatics of soy, freshly tilled earth, blood, violets and sweet fruits. Its liquid velvet as it hits the palate, lapping around the gums delivering a silky umami hit to every crevice of the mouth. It has perfect poise and shape and finishes with such authority, leaving the most wondrous, sensual impression once swallowed.
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5/25/2008 - CorkSniffer wrote: 95 Points
Tasted back to back with a 78 La tache, and actually preferred the Riche. Not as knockout of a bouquet as the La Tache, but seemed to have better preserved fruit. A little tingly sensation immediately after opening, which quieted down after a few minutes and the wine really opened up. Lots of rich blackberries and caramel.
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10/9/2007 - AJ72 wrote: 93 Points
I have found it difficult to get past the stalk/spice character that is in many of the D.R.C wines I've tasted. This wine had that element of greeness/sauvage but also had some nice red currant pluminess to go with it. The palate was significantly better with a very long finish showing the true pedigree of the vineyard. Slight grip from the tannins but not drying yet. Not my favourite style but still very good.
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