2012 Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Richebourg Grand Cru

97+ Points, Mike Bennie, The Wine Front
It’s that whoosh of tannin; a dreadnought cutting through a glassy pond of ocean. It’s awkward in perfume but not entirely discordant, just not quite in its zone, strikes out in different directions with kirsch, earth, briar, truffle, stones. All in the palate though. Line, length, fanning out with explosive power of feathers of stern tannin, showing bold, with an almost vintage defying concentration of fruit flavour. It’s robust in its way, and muscular too. It’s so impressive..

18.5/20 Points, Jancis Robinson, jancisrobinson.com
Very deep crimson. Heady purple-fruits nose. Spicy and rich. Broad and very friendly. So different in structure from the Romanée St-Vivant! Round and with remarkably polished tannins at first. Almost open and accessible with all that ripe fruit until the very end when the depth charge of tannins hits the palate. So juicy and alive! Awfully good. (JR)

97 points, Neal Martin, The Wine Advocate
The Richebourg 2012 was picked September 27-28 at just 19 hectoliters per hectare, one of the lowest yields in this vintage. This has a serious bouquet, reserved at first, more earth than air. Unusual for this cuvee, there is a sense of exoticism here, a Richebourg daring to show a bit of ankle. Blackberry pastille intermingle with wilted violets, and there is a touch of warmth that belies the precocity of the growing season. Leaving it aside for 10 minutes, there are hints of Provençal herbs, broom and even fennel. The palate is medium-bodied and the first thing that strikes you is its backbone. Well, this is Richebourg after all. But there is an arching structure to this wine that is disguised by the silkiness of its texture, plus an almost citrus freshness and brightness on the finish. This is a Richebourg that will make you giddy with pleasure. 634 cases produced.