(de Villaine said that this was racked off the grapes before the alcoholic fermentation was finished and completed it in barrel - from yields of only 17 hl/ha) This too is very aromatically reserved with only glimpses of spicy and exotic perfume that speak of very ripe, even slightly surmature crushed berries, plum and spice because even though the nose is reticent, the intensity of the fruit is magnificent. The flavors are opulent and sumptuously proportioned with massive amounts of sap and dry extract that completely stains and coats the palate before exploding on the hugely long finish. Yes, this is a big, indeed enormous wine but one that never loses its sense of balance and the velvety backend largely buffers the very firm tannins. There is not necessarily great complexity yet but this is the one wine in the range that could easily surprise to the upside as the raw material here is exceptional and while the style is clearly particular relative to what it normally delivers, it has that "wow' factor.

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($910) Bright ruby-red. Sweet, sappy aromas of dark raspberry and chocolate. Superconcentrated, dense and rich; large-scaled, weighty and mouthfilling. Compellingly broad wine, finishing with a load of ripe tannins. Villaine says this one needs 15 years of aging.

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Quite bright, intense crimson – notably darker than the less grand Domaine de la Romanée-Conti wines. Very compost and autuimn on the nose! Medium intensity of bouquet. Very flattering richness of fruit on the front palate though so far without great weight and intensity underneath. Good balance – tannins quite sufficient to keep this well though without aggressive dryness. One is aware of alcohol. Like the Romanée St Vivant, this wine has a real liveliness to it. Great taffeta crunch. It would be a shame to drink this still quite simple wine too young. This still has quite a way to go.

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Violets, roses, raspberries, and red cherries emanate from the 2003 Richebourg. Full-bodied, deep, and hugely concentrated, it is muscular, firm and displays the firmest structure of the Domaine de la Romanee-Conti's 2003s. Soy sauce, tar, chocolate, and dark fruits are found in its focused, audacious personality. Its impressively persistent finish is studded with highly present tannin.

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