2008 Alain Hudelot-Noellat, Richebourg Grand Cru 1x750ml

Vinous 94+

Medium red. Pungent perfume of blood orange, licorice and herbs, lifted by a floral topnote. Tactile but backward, with terrific lift and perfume to the raspberry and crushed fruit flavors. The terrific rising finish displays great energy and a wonderfully light touch. Really stains the palate. With aeration, a deeper smoky, earthy tang and more adamant minerality emerged. A beauty, but lay it down for at least seven or eight years. [Stephen Tanzer, 01/03/2011]

Robert Parker 93

Compared to the RSV, this is earthier and more masculine on the nose with dark cherry, raspberry leaf, wild hedgerow and cold tea. The palate is medium-bodied, a little tart on the entry, very linear and strict with good acidity. Crisp red-berried fruits towards the finish, taut and uncompromising. This will need time, but will it ever develop the complexity of the 1ers? Drink 2016-2035. Tasted January 2009. [Neal Martin, 01/01/2009]

Anticipated maturity: 2016-2035

Burghound 92-94

A distinctly floral suffused nose that speaks of a mix of wild red berry fruit aromas nuanced by exotic spice notes that continue onto the powerful, intense, focused and driving broad-shouldered flavors brimming with dry extract and outstanding length. There isn’t really much to separate this from the RSV except that the tannins of the Riche do not appear to be quite as well integrated, at least not yet. [Allen Meadows, 01/30/2010]