Violets, roses, raspberries, and red cherries emanate from the 2003 Richebourg. Full-bodied, deep, and hugely concentrated, it is muscular, firm and displays the firmest structure of the Domaine de la Romanee-Conti’s 2003s. Soy sauce, tar, chocolate, and dark fruits are found in its focused, audacious personality. Its impressively persistent finish is studded with highly present tannin. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2025. Importer: Wilson-Daniels, St. Helena, CA; tel. (707) 963-9661

A moderately deep ruby hue. A more expressive nose than the Romanee-Saint-Vivant. Black cherry, raspberry and a touch of fig. Fresh and superb delineation. Beginning to hit its stride only after 8 to 10-minutes, becoming more fragrant and minerally, with great depth and harmony. Firm tannins on the spicy palate with earth and a touch of prune. A lovely cassis tinged finish with a grainy texture. Moderate rather than long length. Impressive. (621 cases produced) Tasted February 2006.

Bright, full ruby-red. Perfumed, slightly reduced aromas of cassis and violet. A massive wine of compelling sweetness, with powerful but delineated black fruit flavors supported by a powerful tannic spine. This has a very serious structure for a 2003. Finishes with superb breadth and resounding length.

This too is very aromatically reserved with only glimpses of spicy and exotic perfume that speak of very ripe, even slightly surmature crushed berries, plum and spice because even though the nose is reticent, the intensity of the fruit is magnificent. The flavors are opulent and sumptuously proportioned with massive amounts of sap and dry extract that completely stains and coats the palate before exploding on the hugely long finish. Yes, this is a big, indeed enormous wine but one that never loses its sense of balance and the velvety backend largely buffers the very firm tannins. There is not necessarily great complexity yet but this is the one wine in the range that could easily surprise to the upside as the raw material here is exceptional and while the style is clearly particular relative to what it normally delivers, it has that "wow' factor.

Quite bright, intense crimson – notably darker than the less grand Domaine de la Romanée-Conti wines. Very compost and autuimn on the nose! Medium intensity of bouquet. Very flattering richness of fruit on the front palate though so far without great weight and intensity underneath. Good balance – tannins quite sufficient to keep this well though without aggressive dryness. One is aware of alcohol. Like the Romanée St-Vivant, this wine has a real liveliness to it. Great taffeta crunch. It would be a shame to drink this still quite simple wine too young. This still has quite a way to go. (JR)