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Richebourg, Domaine Jean Grivot 1985

Tasting Notes

Bricked almost through to the center. The nose is now composed essentially of sous-bois and spice elements though there was a whisper of something that isn't entirely clean; it didn't appear to be TCA-related and was more like a vaguely dirty barrel and/or rot nuance. That mild hiccup aside, the round and supple flavors are delicious, rich and still vibrant while offering solid if not sensational depth and length. (I should add that I have tasted this bottle on multiple occasions and all of them, rot or dirty barrel nuance aside, have been in the 88 to 90 point range save for one tasted in Burgundy in November 2008 that was magnificent. Indeed it was so much better than the others, meriting 94 points, that the difference between it and the others defies easy explanation. Please see the BH searchable database for a specific tasting note on that bottle.)

94
Allen Meadows, Burghound.com, November 2015

I have had this wine a number of times and have always found it to be very good but not brilliant yet the bottle in this tasting was easily the best one that I have ever experienced, indeed it was head and shoulders above all prior bottles. An exceptionally pretty nose of classy, fully mature and spicy aromas cut with obvious sous bois introduces powerful, muscular and rugged flavors that offer lovely richness and a still moderately structured if very long finish that remains austere yet pure, focused and delineated. I like the complexity and richness and the structure, while firm, does not detract from the overall sense of balance. In sum, a Cistercian Richebourg. Consistent notes save for this bottle that was so much better than the others that it defies easy explanation.

94
Allen Meadows, Burghound.com (33), January 2009
Please note that these tasting notes/scores are not intended to be exhaustive and in some cases they may not be the most recently published figures. However, we always do our best to add latest scores and reviews when these come to our attention. We advise customers who wish to purchase wines based simply on critical reviews to carry out further research into the latest reports.