Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Richebourg Grand Cru 2012 0,75L

Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Richebourg Grand Cru 2012

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 2012 Vintage

The 2012 vintage in Burgundy presented challenges that ultimately rewarded DRC’s expertise and uncompromising standards. Variable weather during the growing season—spring frost, uneven flowering, summer challenges—naturally reduced yields. However, a spectacular late summer and autumn brought ideal ripening conditions, allowing the domaine’s old vines to achieve exceptional phenolic maturity while maintaining vibrant acidity.

DRC co-director Aubert de Villaine praised 2012 as a ‘classic vintage’ that favors elegance and terroir expression over sheer power. The wines possess refined structure, bright fruit character, and the balance necessary for graceful aging. While lacking the concentration of warmer years (2009, 2015), 2012 DRC wines offer purity, precision, and aging potential—qualities particularly valuable in wines designed for multi-decade cellaring.

Now at 12+ years of age, the 2012 DRC wines have entered their prime drinking window. Critics who initially approached the vintage cautiously have revised assessments upward as the wines develop beautiful tertiary complexity while retaining core vibrancy. For Richebourg specifically, 2012 delivers everything collectors seek: power balanced by grace, concentration tempered by elegance, and structure ensuring continued evolution for decades ahead.

Tasting Experience

• At 12 years of age, the wine opens with breathtaking aromatic complexity: layers of red and black fruits (cherry, raspberry, cassis, plum) intertwine with rose petals, violet, and exotic spice (cinnamon, star anise, cardamom). Beneath lies profound earthiness—truffle, forest floor, mushroom—alongside subtle oak (vanilla, toast) now fully integrated. Distinctive mineral notes of iron and crushed stone anchor the bouquet.
• The palate reveals Richebourg’s legendary character elevated by DRC’s mastery: full-bodied with extraordinary concentration yet maintaining the silky texture that defines great Burgundy. Black fruit flavors dominate—cherry, cassis, blackberry—supported by vibrant acidity that provides lift and energy despite the wine’s power. The tannins, firm in youth, have now resolved into refined structure.
• Mid-palate depth is extraordinary: layer upon layer of flavor and texture unfold—dark fruits, savory notes (cured meat, black tea, dried herbs, sous-bois), persistent spice, and unwavering minerality. The whole-cluster fermentation adds textural complexity and savory character. This is Pinot Noir at maximum expression while retaining varietal identity and terroir transparency.
• The finish extends for remarkable length—60+ seconds—leaving lingering impressions of black cherry, iron, truffle, rose petal, and exotic spice. The wine has reached beautiful early maturity: tertiary complexity developed while retaining vibrant fruit and fresh acidity. The structure suggests another 15-20 years of graceful evolution.
• This is DRC Richebourg—wine that needs no further introduction or justification. It represents the absolute pinnacle of what Burgundy and Pinot Noir can achieve: transcendent quality that justifies legendary status and elevated pricing. For collectors, this is investment-grade liquid art.

Service & Food Pairing

Serve at 17-18°C in the finest Burgundy stems available—DRC deserves no less. Decant 90-120 minutes before service to fully awaken this Grand Cru’s complex aromatics. Pour gently to avoid disturbing sediment. Allow substantial time in the glass (30+ minutes) before drinking—the wine continues evolving over 4-6 hours. Consider hosting a special occasion worthy of opening this bottle.

Exceptional pairings:

• Roasted game: venison loin with black truffle sauce, wild duck with cherry gastrique
• Wagyu or aged prime beef: côte de boeuf with bone marrow, A5 Wagyu ribeye
• Périgord black truffle preparations: risotto, scrambled eggs, or roasted capon
• Wild mushroom dishes: cèpe-crusted beef tenderloin, porcini tart with aged Comté
• Époisses at peak ripeness—the ultimate Burgundian pairing

Cellaring & Evolution

At 12+ years from vintage, this wine has entered early-to-mid maturity and will continue evolving gracefully for another 15-25 years under optimal conditions. DRC Grand Cru wines are renowned for their longevity, often aging beautifully for 30-50+ years. The 2012 vintage’s structure and DRC’s concentration ensure decades ahead.

Those opening bottles now experience the wine at a magical stage: tertiary complexity developed while retaining vibrant fruit. Patient collectors cellaring until 2035-2045 will witness full maturity—savory complexity, integrated tannins, profound depth. The wine should peak 2030-2040 but offer pleasure well beyond.

Store horizontally in a dark, vibration-free environment at 12-14°C with 70-75% humidity. Provenance is absolutely critical for DRC—ensure perfect fill level and documented storage history. These wines represent museum-quality investment assets that appreciate steadily at auction.

Collector’s Note: DRC Richebourg represents the ultimate Burgundy collectible: legendary estate, exceptional Grand Cru terroir, proven vintage quality, and guaranteed scarcity. At auction, DRC wines command prices rivaling Bordeaux First Growths and Champagne prestige cuvées, with consistent appreciation over time. This 2012, now drinking beautifully, offers both immediate transcendent pleasure and long-term investment potential. For serious collectors building world-class cellars, DRC isn’t optional—it’s essential. Richebourg, with its combination of power and elegance, represents one of the domaine’s most complete expressions.