Domaine Leroy   Richebourg Grand Cru

1999 Richebourg Grand Cru

By Domaine Leroy

1999 Richebourg Grand Cru from Domaine Leroy, Burgundy, France

A vintage inundated with laudation, the 1999 Richebourg Grand Cru from Domaine Leroy stands as a paramount example of Burgundy's viticultural prowess. The season leading to the development of this grand cru witnessed a concatenation of favorable conditions that have culminated in a wine of astounding complexity and longevity.

 

The Quintessence of Terroir and Time

The late 1990s marked a period of remarkable vintages in Burgundy, and the penultimate year was no exception. A harmonious growing season paved the way for a vintage that is both characteristic of its esteemed appellation and distinguished by its particular temporal signature. 1999 graced Domaine Leroy with an abundance of perfectly ripened fruit, allowing for the production of wines rich in color and ripe with potential—key factors for discerning wine investors.

 

A Vintage Worthy of Patience

Upon sampling, the 1999 Richebourg Grand Cru reveals a tapestry woven with ripe red berries, undercurrents of black cherries, and a sophisticated sprinkle of earthy spices. A flourish of well-incorporated oak contributes to its structural integrity, while never overwhelming the purity of fruit at the core.

Notably, this wine's impeccable balance is forecasted to usher it confidently through years, if not decades, of cellar maturation. The tannins, still vibrant and assertive, are tempered by a velvety mellowness that assures the collector of its potential to evolve further.

 

In Vino Veritas: A Trustworthy Investment

As an investment piece, the 1999 Richebourg Grand Cru from Domaine Leroy merits sincere consideration—one should not underestimate its assured ascendancy in both quality and acclaim over time. Its complex bouquet, enriched by tertiary notes as it unfolds slowly in bottle, not only propels it into the sphere of exceptional wines but also solidifies its position as a reliable asset in one's wine portfolio.

Indeed, for those who seek out wines with a story to age alongside their investment aspirations, this distinguished nectar from Côte de Nuits effortlessly marries financial prudence with sensory delight.

Current market price

$167,330.00

12x75cl

Highest score

95

POP score

6682.67

Scores and tasting notes

95

The 1999 Richebourg Grand Cru is very special, bursting from the glass with a lavish bouquet of raw cocoa, Asian spices, ripe plums, rose petal and potpourri. On the palate, it's full-bodied, ample and perfumed, with a gourmand, layered mid-palate, melting tannins and a long, beautifully delineated finish. In recent vintages, I've tended to prefer the Domaine's Romanée-Saint-Vivant to its Richebourg, but in 1999 it's the latter that has the edge.

William Kelley - The Wine Advocate, 19 July 2018

Vintage performance