Richebourg, Domaine de la Romanée Conti 2002

This is pungently floral with fresh rose notes nuanced by intense red fruits and a deep, wonderfully attractive plumy hint followed by powerfully spiced flavors that offer impeccable balance and real muscle plus a sappy, palate staining finish. The tannins are extremely fine in this vintage and there is a lovely suppleness to the mid-palate without its usual robustness; in fact, there is a pretty textured quality to the structure. This is not to suggest that there isn't plenty of vigor and intensity here, only that this is decidedly more refined than usual, which makes it all the classier.