Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Richebourg Grand Cru 2000 0,75L

Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Richebourg Grand Cru 2000

The Estate

Domaine de la Romanée-Conti requires no introduction to serious wine collectors—it is, quite simply, the most prestigious wine estate on Earth. Co-owned by the de Villaine and Leroy families since the 18th century, DRC produces wines from the greatest Grand Cru parcels in Burgundy, farmed with biodynamic practices and vinified with methods perfected over generations.

The domaine’s holdings read like a greatest hits of Burgundian viticulture: monopoles Romanée-Conti and La Tâche, plus parcels in Richebourg, Romanée-Saint-Vivant, Échezeaux, Grands-Échezeaux, and Corton. From these hallowed vineyards, DRC produces wines of extraordinary depth, complexity, and longevity—bottles that command prices rivaling fine art and appear at auction with the frequency and fanfare of masterpieces.

DRC’s winemaking philosophy emphasizes minimal intervention: biodynamic viticulture with microscopic yields (often 20-25 hl/ha), whole-cluster fermentation, aging in 100% new French oak, and bottling without filtration. The goal is to allow each terroir to express itself with perfect clarity while providing the structure for decades of aging. The results speak for themselves: wines that collectors treasure as liquid history.

Richebourg: Power Wrapped in Silk

Richebourg occupies 8 hectares of blessed ground on the slope above Vosne-Romanée, positioned between Romanée-Saint-Vivant and Romanée-Conti. This Grand Cru produces wines that marry extraordinary power with seductive elegance—Burgundy at its most complete. The name itself evokes richness, and the wines deliver: concentrated, opulent, and structured for long-term aging.

The terroir features classic Côte de Nuits geology: limestone bedrock with iron-rich clay and marl, providing excellent drainage while retaining moisture during dry periods. The mid-slope position offers optimal sun exposure and air circulation, creating ideal conditions for Pinot Noir of exceptional phenolic maturity and aromatic complexity. What distinguishes Richebourg is its unique synthesis: it combines La Tâche’s power, Romanée-Saint-Vivant’s elegance, and its own distinctive spicy, floral character.

DRC owns 3.51 hectares within Richebourg—the largest holding among several proprietors. Their vines, averaging 50+ years of age, benefit from decades of biodynamic farming that has restored soil vitality and microbial diversity. Extreme yield restrictions (often below 25 hl/ha) ensure concentration, while meticulous viticulture and hand-sorting guarantee that only perfect fruit enters the cellar.

The result is Richebourg that defines the appellation: wine of extraordinary completeness—powerful yet elegant, concentrated yet refined, immediate in its appeal yet built for decades of evolution. DRC Richebourg represents Burgundy’s holy grail, a wine that collectors worldwide covet for its transcendent quality and investment potential.

The 2000 Vintage

The 2000 vintage represents one of Burgundy’s legendary modern years—a millennium vintage that delivered on every promise. Perfect weather throughout the growing season culminated in an ideal September: warm days, cool nights, and no rain during harvest. The result was exceptional phenolic maturity combined with vibrant acidity—wines built for decades of aging. For DRC, 2000 stands alongside 1999, 2002, and 2005 as one of the decade’s finest vintages.

Parker noted in 2003 that the wine was ‘backward’ and ‘broody’—classic descriptors for young DRC Grand Cru wines that require patience. The ‘robust tannins’ and ‘good complexity’ signaled long-term aging potential. Critics who tasted the wine throughout its evolution report consistent upward trajectory: the structure that dominated in youth has resolved into silky elegance, while tertiary complexity has developed magnificently.

Now at 24+ years, the 2000 DRC Richebourg has reached peak maturity—the perfect moment to open bottles. The wine offers everything collectors seek: primary fruit has evolved into savory complexity, tannins have fully integrated, and the ‘very focused and long’ finish Parker praised has become even more profound. This is Richebourg at its finest: mature Burgundy that demonstrates why DRC wines command museum prices at auction. Only 1,295 cases produced, ensuring perpetual scarcity.

Tasting Experience

• The aromatics have evolved spectacularly from Parker’s ‘backward broody nose.’ Now at full maturity, the wine opens with extraordinary complexity: primary cherries and minerals remain but are now wrapped in layers of tertiary development—black truffle (Parker’s observation has intensified), leather, tobacco, forest floor, dried rose petals, exotic spice (cinnamon, clove, star anise), and sous-bois. The whole-cluster fermentation adds subtle herbal notes and textural complexity.
• The palate shows complete evolution: the ‘robust tannins’ Parker noted have melted into silky integration, creating Richebourg’s signature texture—powerful yet refined. Dark cherry, cassis, and cranberry fruit persists but is now complemented by savory complexity: cured meat, dried mushroom, black tea, iron, and persistent minerality. The ‘leathery fruit’ character has deepened into full tertiary glory.
• Mid-palate depth reveals why collectors treasure aged DRC: layer upon layer unfolds—dark fruits, earth, spice, flowers, minerals, umami. The ‘good complexity’ Parker noted in youth has become profound sophistication. The structure that dominated young has transformed into elegant power—the wine maintains energy and vibrancy despite its age. This is Pinot Noir at its zenith.
• The finish delivers on Parker’s promise and then some: the ‘very focused and long’ conclusion now extends for 90+ seconds, leaving lingering impressions of black cherry, truffle, leather, iron, dried flowers, and exotic spice. The wine continues evolving in the glass for 3-4 hours, revealing new dimensions with each return. The maturity is perfect—tertiary complexity fully developed while retaining core integrity.
• This is museum-quality DRC Richebourg: 24 years of bottle age have transformed youthful power into mature elegance. The wine demonstrates why serious collectors pay premium prices for DRC—these wines age gracefully for decades, rewarding patience with transcendent complexity. The 2000 Richebourg is drinking perfectly now but capable of another 5-10 years. A masterpiece from the millennium vintage.

Service & Food Pairing

Serve at 16-17°C (slightly cooler than young wines) in the finest Burgundy stems—Zalto Burgundy or Riedel Sommelier Series. Decant 60-90 minutes before service—mature wines need less air than young. Pour extremely gently to avoid disturbing the significant sediment that has formed over 24 years. Stand the bottle upright for 24 hours before opening to allow sediment to settle. Allow 30+ minutes in the glass before drinking. The wine will continue evolving for 3-4 hours. This is a once-in-a-lifetime bottle—treat it with reverence.

Exceptional pairings:

• Roasted game at peak: venison saddle with black truffle sauce, wild duck breast with cherry-port reduction, ortolan
• Wagyu at its finest: A5 Wagyu ribeye with bone marrow, dry-aged prime beef with truffle butter
• Fresh Périgord black truffle: scrambled eggs with truffle shavings, risotto with fresh truffles, pasta with butter and truffle
• Wild mushrooms: cèpe-crusted beef tenderloin, porcini ravioli with aged Parmesan, chanterelle tart
• Époisses de Bourgogne at peak ripeness—the ultimate pairing for mature Burgundy
• Or drink alone in contemplative silence—this wine deserves full attention

Cellaring & Evolution

At 24 years from vintage, this wine has reached full maturity—the perfect moment for drinking. Parker’s 2003 notes emphasized the wine’s backward nature and robust tannins, suggesting decades ahead. That prediction has proven accurate: the wine is now at peak, offering complete tertiary complexity while retaining core vitality.

Collectors opening now experience the 2000 Richebourg at its finest: savory complexity fully developed, tannins completely integrated, profound depth on every level. Those with multiple bottles should consider drinking most now while cellaring one or two for another 5-10 years to witness final evolution. DRC Grand Cru wines can age 50+ years under optimal conditions, though peak drinking windows rarely extend beyond 25-30 years.

Critical storage note: At this age, provenance is absolutely essential. Ensure perfect fill levels (original fill or high shoulder), intact capsules, and fully documented storage history. Any storage flaws—excessive heat, light, vibration—will be immediately apparent in mature wines. These bottles represent museum-quality artifacts and significant financial investments. Store remaining bottles horizontally at 12-14°C with 70-75% humidity in complete darkness. Handle with extreme care.

Collector’s Note: The 2000 DRC Richebourg represents the ultimate prize for serious collectors: legendary millennium vintage, perfect maturity, and extreme scarcity (only 1,295 cases produced). At auction, mature DRC wines from exceptional vintages command astronomical prices, with consistent appreciation over time. The 2000, now drinking perfectly, offers both immediate transcendent pleasure and continued investment value—collectors opening now experience the wine at peak while also securing a piece of Burgundy history. For those building world-class cellars, mature DRC from great vintages represents the pinnacle. The 2000 Richebourg is ready to drink now and represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience aged Burgundy at its absolute finest.