Young Richebourg can often be quite tight and reserved but this was quite expressive with soy, hoison and black pinot fruits and a multilayered flavor profile of good intensity, detail and exceptional length. Very concentrated with medium sized tannins.

Ruby-red. Pungently spicy, bright aroma of raspberry and blackberry. Great purity, verve and complexity on the palate; offers a compelling combination of sweet fruit and juicy acidity. A wine of great volume and seamless texture. Finishes very long, with noble, fine tannins. An early knockout, but with the structure for long life.

The 1998 Richebourg Grand Cru comes as a disappointment after the '96. Quite mature in colour, the 1998 has a rustic and leathery nose, with just a faint touch of blackcurrant leaf. The palate lacks the grip of other vintages, a bit dry in style and missing energy. This was a very challenging vintage in the Côte de Nuits and I think this Richebourg suffers, especially in direct comparison with several other vintages. Tasted at the Richebourg vertical dinner in Taipei.