Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Richebourg Grand Cru 2014 0,75L

Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Richebourg Grand Cru 2014

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 2014 Vintage

The 2014 vintage in Burgundy delivered everything serious collectors seek: exceptional quality, relative abundance, and wines built for long-term aging. After a mild winter and early spring, a cool summer slowed ripening, preserving freshness and acidity. September brought ideal conditions—warm days, cool nights—allowing perfect phenolic maturity while maintaining vibrancy. DRC’s meticulous vineyard management and ultra-low yields (29.75 hl/ha for Richebourg) ensured concentration despite the vintage’s natural generosity.

Critics universally praised 2014 as one of Burgundy’s finest recent vintages. The wines combine the structure of classic years (2005, 2010) with the aromatic complexity and elegance of warmer vintages (2009, 2015). For DRC specifically, 2014 represents a triumph: the estate’s biodynamic farming and old vines produced wines of extraordinary depth and complexity. Aubert de Villaine declared it among the domaine’s finest vintages of the decade.

Now at 10 years of age, the 2014 DRC wines are entering early maturity—developing tertiary complexity while retaining vibrant fruit and structure. Parker’s notes emphasize Richebourg’s ‘superb backbone and density’ plus an ‘extraordinarily long aftertaste.’ The wine needs another 5-10 years to reach peak maturity but already offers profound pleasure. Patient collectors holding until 2030-2040 will be rewarded with one of DRC’s greatest modern Richeborgs.

Tasting Experience

• Robert Parker captures the aromatics perfectly: ‘gorgeous, flamboyant, vivacious bouquet with blossoming red cherries, crushed strawberry… pressed rose petal notes. Wonderful delineation and exuberance.’ At 10 years, the wine shows even greater complexity: black cherry, cassis, raspberry compote mingle with violet, rose, exotic spice (star anise, cardamom), and emerging tertiary notes of truffle, forest floor, and mushroom. The whole-cluster fermentation adds subtle herbal lift.
• The palate delivers Richebourg’s legendary character elevated by 2014’s structure: medium-to-full-bodied with extraordinary concentration yet maintaining silky texture. ‘Lively, spicy, white pepper-tinged entry’ leads to black cherry, cassis, and dark berry fruit. The hint of black truffle noted by Parker has developed into savory complexity—cured meat, dried herbs, sous-bois—adding dimension to the pure fruit core.
• Mid-palate depth is profound: layer upon layer of flavor unfolds—dark fruits, spice, minerals, earth, flowers. The ‘superb backbone and density’ Parker praised provides structure for decades ahead. Tannins, while still firm, have integrated beautifully. Vibrant acidity lifts the palate, providing energy despite the wine’s power. The structure suggests 20-30 more years of evolution.
• The finish delivers on Parker’s promise of ‘extraordinary length’: 90+ seconds of lingering complexity—black cherry, iron, truffle, rose petal, white pepper, marine-like salinity. This estuarine quality (Parker’s term) adds distinctive character. The wine continues evolving in the glass for 4-6 hours, revealing new dimensions with each return.
• This is DRC Richebourg at its finest: power balanced by elegance, concentration tempered by refinement, immediate pleasure combined with decades of future potential. The 2014 vintage’s structure ensures longevity; DRC’s mastery guarantees transcendence. One of the domaine’s finest Richeborgs of the modern era—95 points today, potentially higher at peak maturity.

Service & Food Pairing

Serve at 17-18°C in the finest Burgundy stems available—Zalto Burgundy or Riedel Sommelier Series are ideal. Decant 2-3 hours before service to fully awaken this Grand Cru’s complex aromatics. Pour gently to avoid disturbing sediment that may have formed. Allow substantial time in the glass (45+ minutes minimum) before drinking—the wine continues evolving dramatically over 4-6 hours. Open for special occasions only; this wine deserves reverence.

Exceptional pairings:

• Roasted game: venison medallions with black truffle jus, wild duck breast with cherry gastrique, roasted woodcock
• Wagyu or prime aged beef: côte de boeuf with bone marrow butter, A5 Wagyu ribeye, dry-aged New York strip
• Périgord black truffle: risotto with fresh truffles, scrambled eggs with truffle shavings, truffle-crusted filet
• Wild mushrooms: cèpe-crusted beef tenderloin, porcini ravioli, chanterelle tart with aged Comté
• Époisses de Bourgogne at peak ripeness—the ultimate Burgundian pairing

Cellaring & Evolution

At 10 years from vintage, this wine has entered early-to-mid maturity but remains decades from peak. The 2014 vintage’s structure and DRC’s concentration ensure 25-35 more years of graceful evolution. Those opening now experience the wine at a magical transition: secondary and tertiary complexity emerging while retaining core vibrancy and fruit purity.

Parker’s tasting note emphasizes: ‘just wait ten years’ (from 2017), suggesting peak maturity around 2027-2030. However, DRC Grand Cru wines routinely age 40-50+ years. The 2014 Richebourg should peak 2030-2045 but offer pleasure well beyond mid-century. Patient collectors cellaring until 2040+ will experience this wine at full maturity—savory complexity, integrated tannins, profound tertiary development.

Store horizontally in dark, vibration-free conditions at 12-14°C with 70-75% humidity. Provenance is absolutely critical for DRC—ensure perfect fill levels, original capsules intact, and documented storage history. These wines represent museum-quality investment assets that appreciate steadily at auction. Only 1,160 cases produced worldwide, ensuring perpetual scarcity and collector demand.

Collector’s Note: The 2014 DRC Richebourg represents everything serious collectors seek: legendary estate, exceptional vintage, proven critical acclaim (95 RP), and guaranteed scarcity. At auction, 2014 DRC wines command premium prices, with consistent appreciation over time. Parker’s enthusiastic review—emphasizing ‘superb backbone,’ ‘extraordinary length,’ and decade-plus aging potential—ensures this bottle’s place in investment-grade portfolios. For collectors building world-class cellars, DRC Richebourg isn’t optional—it’s essential. The 2014, with its perfect balance of power and elegance, represents one of the domaine’s finest modern expressions. Expect steady appreciation as the wine approaches peak maturity.