Richebourg, Domaine Hudelot-Noellat 2015

**Note: from a .28 ha parcel of vines that abut those of the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti in Richebourg proper**
Somewhat surprisingly this is actually more aromatically expressive today with its elegant and super-fresh array of various dark berries, violet, lavender and impressive range of spices. There is much, much more volume, power and muscle to the full-bodied flavors that brim with minerality on the explosively long and impeccably well-balanced finish. This is a very serious Riche that is built-to-age and unlike the Romanée St. Vivant, is not likely to make an especially good early drink.

The 2015 Richebourg Grand Cru is a prodigious wine in the making, opening in the glass with a deep bouquet of black raspberry, cherry, licorice, orange rind, incense and strawberry, subtly framed by new oak. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, multidimensional and complete, its flavors superbly concentrated and pure, its acids succulent and its tannins velvety and ample. More expansive than the Romanée Saint-Vivant, this Richebourg is also more backward and appears to possess the greater potential. "When I first arrived at the domaine, I tended to prefer the Romanée Saint-Vivant," confided winemaker Charles Van Canneyt, "but as my experience with the wines—old and young—grew, I have come to almost invariably favor the Richebourg."