Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Richebourg Grand Cru 2018 0,75L

Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Richebourg Grand Cru 2018

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 2018 Vintage

The 2018 vintage in Burgundy delivered wines of unusual ripeness and power—a warm growing season with ideal harvest conditions produced ripe, concentrated fruit with excellent phenolic maturity. While some producers struggled with the heat, DRC’s biodynamic farming, old vines, and ultra-low yields ensured perfect balance: ripe fruit married to structure and freshness. Critics praised 2018 as ‘one of the great wines of the vintage.’

The vintage’s warmth resulted in wines with immediate appeal: generous fruit, silky tannins, and approachable profiles even in youth. However, DRC’s meticulous viticulture ensured the wines maintain structure for long-term aging. The description ‘deep, powerful, and impeccably structured, yet remarkably silky and precise’ captures 2018’s duality: warm-vintage ripeness balanced by classic Burgundian elegance.

At just 6 years of age, the 2018 Richebourg is in its exuberant youth—showing generous fruit and immediate pleasure while retaining firm tannins and bright acidity for decades ahead. Critics note ‘extraordinary depth, power, and harmony’—qualities that suggest 25-30+ years of evolution. Those opening now enjoy youthful generosity; collectors cellaring until 2035-2045 will witness full maturity and tertiary complexity.

Tasting Experience

• The aromatics deliver ‘extraordinarily complex and seductive bouquet’: black cherry, blackberry, crushed raspberry lead, wrapped in rose petals and exotic spice (star anise, cardamom, five-spice). Deeper layers reveal incense, licorice, dark chocolate, and wet stone minerality—the ‘wet stone’ note is classic DRC, adding structure to the fruit-forward profile. The whole-cluster fermentation contributes subtle herbal lift.
• The palate confirms the notes: ‘deep, powerful, and impeccably structured, yet remarkably silky and precise.’ This is Richebourg’s signature character amplified by 2018’s generous fruit: full-bodied with ‘dense core of ripe fruit’ (black cherry, cassis, raspberry, plum). Despite the power, the texture remains ‘silky’—DRC’s refined tannins prevent any heaviness or heat despite the warm vintage.
• The structure is magnificent: ‘firm, fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity’ provide framework for decades ahead. Mid-palate depth reveals layer upon layer: dark fruits, spice (licorice, exotic spice), chocolate, minerals (wet stone), and subtle oak (now integrating). The ‘monumental presence and graceful balance’ capture 2018’s duality: power tempered by elegance.
• The finish delivers ‘exceptional length, resonant, and mineral-driven’: 90+ seconds of lingering complexity—black fruit, exotic spice, dark chocolate, wet stone, incense. The ‘layers of fruit, spice, and savory complexity’ continue unfolding. At 6 years, the wine shows youthful exuberance but already hints at the complexity that will develop over 2-3 decades.
• This is described as ‘majestic and profound Grand Cru Burgundy… a wine of extraordinary depth, power, and harmony—a benchmark expression of Pinot Noir and one of the great wines of the vintage.’ The 2018 Richebourg represents DRC’s ability to harness warm-vintage generosity while maintaining structure and balance for long-term aging. A magnificent wine entering its prime over the next 25-30 years.

Service & Food Pairing

Serve at 17-18°C in the finest Burgundy stems—Zalto Burgundy or Riedel Sommelier Series. Despite its youth, this wine benefits from 2-3 hours decanting to soften tannins and awaken aromatics. Pour gently. Allow 45-60 minutes in the glass before drinking—the ‘extraordinarily complex’ bouquet continues evolving. The wine will develop over 4-5 hours. Given the generous vintage, this Richebourg offers more immediate pleasure than classic DRC but still deserves reverence and special occasions.

Exceptional pairings:

• Roasted game: venison loin with black truffle sauce, wild duck breast with cherry-port reduction, roasted pheasant
• Wagyu or prime aged beef: A5 Wagyu ribeye, côte de boeuf with bone marrow butter, dry-aged strip
• Périgord black truffle: risotto with fresh truffles, scrambled eggs with truffle shavings, truffle-crusted filet
• Dark chocolate desserts (echoing tasting notes): flourless chocolate cake, chocolate fondant with raspberry
• Wild mushrooms: cèpe-crusted beef tenderloin, porcini ravioli, chanterelle tart with aged Comté
• Époisses de Bourgogne at peak ripeness—classic Burgundian pairing

Cellaring & Evolution

At 6 years from vintage, this wine is in youthful exuberance—showing generous fruit and immediate pleasure while retaining structure for decades ahead. The 2018 vintage’s ripeness makes these wines more approachable in youth than classic years (2010, 2014, 2016), but the ‘firm, fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity’ ensure long-term aging potential.

Expect optimal drinking 2028-2050, with peak maturity likely 2035-2045. The ‘extraordinary depth, power, and harmony’ suggest 25-30+ years of graceful evolution. Those opening now enjoy youthful exuberance; collectors cellaring will witness tertiary complexity develop—savory notes, integrated tannins, profound depth. DRC Grand Cru wines from warm vintages (2003, 2009, 2015, 2018) often surprise critics by aging beautifully.

Store horizontally in dark, vibration-free conditions at 12-14°C with 70-75% humidity. Provenance is critical—ensure perfect fill levels, intact capsules, and documented storage history. The 2018 vintage’s critical acclaim (‘one of the great wines of the vintage’) and immediate appeal make these bottles excellent investments. Expect steady appreciation as the vintage matures and demonstrates its aging potential.

Collector’s Note: The 2018 DRC Richebourg represents accessible excellence within DRC’s portfolio: warm vintage offering immediate pleasure, critical acclaim (‘benchmark expression of Pinot Noir,’ ‘one of the great wines of the vintage’), and proven structure for long-term aging. At auction, 2018 DRC wines are gaining recognition for their quality and balance. For collectors seeking DRC bottles that offer both near-term drinking pleasure and long-term investment potential, 2018 is ideal. The Richebourg, described as ‘majestic and profound,’ exemplifies the vintage’s finest achievements. Expect steady appreciation and enthusiastic demand from collectors seeking approachable yet age-worthy DRC.