2001 Richebourg

The 2001 Richebourg Grand Cru comes from a period where I think Etienne Grivot was still finding his way and consequently it does not rank amongst some of the stellar wines produced today. Deep in colour, it has a backward and broody nose, dark berry fruit, scorched earth and lavender. The palate is medium-bodied with considerable grip and backbone, though it lacks the finesse one would expect on the bullish finish that at least feels very persistent. Very good, but not startling. Tasted at the La Paulée in Beaune.

Full bright red with only slight orange tints. The nose suggests restraint, class waiting to come out but not there yet. Seems to be filling out and freshening up. Really lively, a bit of blood orange, some passion fruit, more classical red fruit behind, very agreeable. Crisp and crunchy finish. The nose, knock-kneed at first, becomes sublime and this wine shows amazing persistence: Etienne has arrived.

Good medium ruby color. Bright, multidimensional aromas of black fruits, violet, bitter chocolate and Oriental spices. A wine of outstanding dimension, with terrific inner-mouth energy and definition. The sappy raspberry, mineral and violet flavors mount slowly and go on and on on the extremely long finish. At once perfectly ripe for the vintage and utterly primary. Grand cru in every way: precise, classy and gripping.