Richebourg, Domaine de la Romanée Conti 2001

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.

Tasted at Eleven Madison Park: We had better luck with the 2001 Richebourg. This fabulous Burgundy needed quite a bit of air to open up, but when it did it was truly gorgeous. A brooding, inward wine, the Richebourg showed tons of depth in its dark red fruit, dried flowers and menthol, with firm tannins that literally took hold of the palate from start to finish. As good as it is now, the 2001 Richebourg really needs at least 5-10 years before it starts offering its finest drinking.