The 2001 Richebourg Grand Cru from DRC is deeper in color than the Leroy. It is very expressive on its regal nose of black fruit rather than red, crushed stone and hints of juniper and sage, all exquisitely defined. The aromatics simply stop you in your tracks. The palate has enormous backbone and brings to mind images of a vaulted cathedral. The acidity is perfect, and it fans out with dark berry fruit on the structured, aristocratic finish. This is evolving into a marvelous Richebourg that has style and class to spare. Tasted at the DRC/Leroy comparative dinner in Hong Kong.

Not as deeply colored as the RSV. As is often the case, this is aromatically austere though with coaxing, reveals wonderfully complex aromas of a simply incredible array of black fruits, earth, spice, crushed herbs and notes of chocolate with flavors that are supple, rich and even more powerful but not as complex or elegant as the RSV though it gets high marks for its superb detail. I particularly like the stupendously long and incredibly intense finish that offers a surprising sensation of almost pungent minerality.

Deep red. Multifaceted, very pure, very ripe nose of cassis, licorice, minerals and smoked meat. Then vibrant but tight and closed, showing considerably less volume today than the Romanee Saint-Vivant. Tannins are fine but youthfully austere, as there's less buffering mid-palate sweetness here. Inscrutable at present, but does not seem to be as exceptional in the context of the cru as the RSV. De Villaine ventured the opinion that La Tache and Richebourg are the most closed today among the estate's bottlings, noting that Richebourg has a higher percentage of younger vines and thus a less creamy texture.

In its youth, the 2001 was incredibly austere for years. Now, the fruit is starting to fade, while whole cluster inflections and potent tannins dominate. Maybe I have had bad luck. I will hold up hope of encountering a better example at some point in the future. This bottle is good, but it does not meet our expectations.

The outstanding, medium to dark ruby-colored 2001 Richebourg reveals a nose of spiced cherries and creamy blackberries. It expands on the palate, displaying toasted oak-infused black cherry syrup. This hugely spicy, medium-bodied wine has wonderful depth, and a friendly, juicy personality. Projected maturity: 2005-2012. Concerning the 2001s, de Villaine, the Domaine de la Romanee-Conti’s co-director, stated that “it was not an easy year, it was a real roller coaster for vignerons. The estate’s vineyards, like everyone in Burgundy, had rot infestations so we did two harvests, one for the best, healthiest bunches and then another. Of course, we meticulously sorted all the fruit as we always do.” Those readers who are always looking for news concerning the next vintage will be interested to hear the following. Unlike almost all his colleagues who said that 2002 was going to be a spectacular vintage, de Villaine informed me that it would “another irregular year.” Importer: Wilson-Daniels, St. Helena, CA; tel. (707) 963-9661