Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Richebourg Grand Cru 2010 0,75L

Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Richebourg Grand Cru 2010

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 2010 Vintage

The 2010 vintage holds legendary status in Burgundy’s modern history—a year that delivered wines of extraordinary structure, balance, and longevity despite challenging growing conditions. A cool summer slowed ripening, preserving acidity. An ideal September brought perfect phenolic maturity. The result: classic Burgundy with aging potential rivaling the greatest historical vintages (1959, 1969, 1978).

Aubert de Villaine told Parker he was ‘surprised by the level of the 2010s given all of the challenges of the growing season.’ The estate’s biodynamic farming and old vines extracted maximum quality from a difficult year. Parker’s reviews reflect this achievement: ‘stellar’ wines across the portfolio, with Richebourg standing out for ‘beguiling, totally exquisite aromatics.’ His note that ‘finesse takes precedence over sheer power’ defines 2010’s character—elegance and structure over concentration.

Parker’s aging prediction—2030-2060—signals confidence in extraordinary longevity. At 14 years, the wine is barely approaching early maturity. Critics who’ve retasted report consistent upward trajectory: the ‘towering, statuesque’ structure is slowly softening while revealing layers of complexity. Collectors opening now witness evolution’s beginning; those cellaring until 2035-2050 will experience peak perfection. This is a 50-year wine from Burgundy’s most prestigious estate.

Tasting Experience

• Parker’s aromatics remain accurate at 14 years: ‘a kaleidoscope of black fruit, graphite, mint, violets and spices.’ The ‘beguiling, totally exquisite’ nose opens with layers of black cherry, cassis, and blackberry, wrapped in graphite minerality, fresh mint, violet florals, and exotic spice (star anise, cinnamon, clove). The whole-cluster fermentation adds herbal lift. Early tertiary notes—truffle, forest floor, leather—are beginning to emerge.
• The palate delivers Parker’s promise: ‘towering, statuesque wine that completely saturates the palate in all directions, seemingly at the same time.’ This is Richebourg at maximum expression—full-bodied with extraordinary concentration yet maintaining silky texture. Black fruit flavors dominate: cherry, cassis, blackberry, plum. The graphite minerality noted in the nose carries through, adding structure and dimension.
• Mid-palate depth is profound: the wine unfolds in waves—dark fruits, minerals, spice, flowers, subtle oak (now integrating), emerging savory complexity. Parker notes ‘trademark Richebourg structure is present, but this seems to be a vintage where finesse takes precedence over sheer power.’ At 14 years, this finesse is revealing itself: the wine maintains power while showing increasing elegance and refinement.
• The finish extends for remarkable length—80+ seconds—leaving lingering impressions of black fruit, graphite, mint, violet, and persistent spice. The structure suggests decades ahead: tannins remain firm but refined, acidity provides lift and energy, and concentration ensures continued evolution. The wine continues developing in the glass for 5-6 hours, revealing new dimensions constantly.
• This is DRC Richebourg for the ages: Parker’s ‘kaleidoscope’ and ‘towering’ descriptors capture a wine of museum-quality status. The 2010 vintage’s structure and DRC’s concentration guarantee 30-40 more years of evolution. Opening now provides insight into youth; cellaring until 2040+ will reward with complete maturity. One of the finest modern DRC Richeborgs—a wine that justifies legendary pricing and collector obsession.

Service & Food Pairing

Serve at 17-18°C in the finest Burgundy stems—Zalto Burgundy or Riedel Sommelier Series are essential. Decant 3-4 hours before service—this young wine needs substantial air to reveal its ‘kaleidoscope’ of aromatics. Pour gently. Allow 60+ minutes in the glass before drinking. The wine will continue evolving for 5-6 hours. Given Parker’s 2030-2060 aging prediction, consider this a wine for special milestones. Open only for occasions worthy of such magnificence.

Exceptional pairings:

• Roasted game at its finest: venison saddle with black truffle sauce, wild duck with cherry reduction, ortolan
• Wagyu perfection: A5 Wagyu ribeye with bone marrow, dry-aged prime beef with truffle butter
• Périgord black truffle: risotto with fresh truffles, scrambled eggs with truffle shavings, pasta with butter and truffle
• Wild mushrooms: cèpe-crusted beef tenderloin, porcini ravioli with aged Parmesan, chanterelle tart
• Aged Burgundian cheeses: Époisses at peak ripeness, aged Comté, Brillat-Savarin
• Or drink in contemplative silence—this wine deserves undivided attention

Cellaring & Evolution

At 14 years from vintage, this wine is barely entering its prime—Parker’s 2030-2060 aging prediction suggests another 15-35+ years ahead at minimum. The ‘towering, statuesque’ structure remains dominant, providing framework for decades of evolution. Those opening now experience the wine in its powerful youth; collectors with patience should cellar until 2035-2050 for peak maturity.

The 2010 vintage’s structure rivals legendary Burgundy years (1959, 1978, 1990) that aged gracefully for 50+ years. DRC Grand Cru wines from great vintages routinely exceed critical predictions—this Richebourg could remain magnificent well beyond 2060. Peak drinking likely 2035-2055, with continued pleasure through 2070 under optimal storage.

Store horizontally in dark, vibration-free conditions at 12-14°C with 70-75% humidity in complete darkness. Provenance is absolutely critical—ensure perfect fill levels, intact capsules, and fully documented storage history from vintage. These bottles represent museum-quality artifacts and significant financial investments. The 2010 DRC Richebourg will appreciate steadily at auction as it approaches Parker’s predicted peak maturity in 2030+.

Collector’s Note: The 2010 DRC Richebourg represents the ultimate long-term collector’s prize: legendary vintage, Parker’s enthusiastic ‘kaleidoscope’ and ‘towering’ review, and extraordinary 50-year aging prediction (2030-2060). At auction, 2010 DRC wines command premium prices and appreciate steadily as the vintage approaches maturity. This bottle offers both exceptional long-term investment potential and the promise of transcendent drinking experience decades hence. For collectors building multi-generational cellars, the 2010 DRC Richebourg is essential—a wine to pass to children or grandchildren, opening in 2040-2050 when it reaches peak perfection. Museum-quality Burgundy at its absolute finest.