2006 Richebourg
By Domaine Meo-Camuzet
2006 Richebourg from Domaine Meo-Camuzet, Burgundy, France
In the annals of Burgundian viticulture, the storied slopes of Richebourg deliver narratives of mesmeric vintages that regale collectors and investors alike. The 2006 Richebourg from Domaine Meo-Camuzet is a chapter resplendent with complexity—a vintage that beckons with the allure of genuine pedigree.
Vintage Virtue: A Dance with Terroir and Time
The 2006 vintage in Burgundy was marked by a growing season with tests and trials, culminating in a harvest that demanded of vintners both fortitude and finesse. It is within this dynamic canvas that Meo-Camuzet's tenets of precision viticulture and enlightened oenology have flourished. The result? A Richebourg that speaks fluently of its origin—echoing the iron-rich soils and the subtle interplay between fruit and structure that Domaine Meo-Camuzet is renowned for.
A Tapestry Weaved of Opulence and Elegance
Upon decanting, the 2006 Richebourg unveils aromatics that conjoin ripe cherries and blackberries with haunting whispers of truffle and underbrush—signature scents of its terroir. The palate is an odyssey through layers of silken tannins and vibrant acidity, crafting an equilibrium that enthrals. Notes of dark fruit consort seamlessly with hints of leather and spice, fostering a finish as enduring as it is exuberant.
This wine's journey from vine to glass encapsulates not solely the narrative of its vintage but also the quintessence of Richebourg—the commingling of power and grace in every nuanced sip.
The Investment Perspective: Sipping on Potential
For the astute fine wine investor, the 2006 Richebourg from Domaine Meo-Camuzet exemplifies an addition with considerable merit. Time has graciously imbued this wine with magnitude and poise—an evolution sure to capture the fancy of those seeking depth amidst their portfolio. Its maturation trajectory suggests an opportune moment for appreciative assimilation or judicious cellaring, ensuring its presence enriches both palate and investment alike.
The final contemplation yields no hesitation—the 2006 Richebourg stands as an expressively etched specimen from Domaine Meo-Camuzet's oenological anthology, offering both a delectable indulgence for connoisseurs and a compelling chapter for collectors entrenched in the pursuits of vinous treasure.
Market price (CAD)
$31,460.00
12x75cl
Highest score
93
POP score
1453.85
Scores and tasting notes
Dark cherry and black raspberry jam; dark chocolate; and burley tobacco fill the nose from Meo-Camuzet's 2006 Richebourg, which then coats the palate with jam- and liqueur-like sweetness and viscosity of fruit, along with practically ineradicable chocolate, spice, tobacco, and toasted pecan. But for all of the sweet richness on display here, in contrast with most of the other wines in its collection, this displays hints of chocolate and fruit pit bitterness; crushed stone; roasted meat flavors; and primary, sappy fruit juiciness all of which not only add interest but offset the sweetness and keep the wine from becoming fatiguing or monolithic. There seems to be even more tannin here than in the corresponding Cros Parantoux, but it is well-integrated and fine-grained. I imagine myself directly tasting this wine's high skin-to-juice ratio here. Meo thought that vis-a-vis the Cros Parantoux, his 2006 Richebourg was relatively inexpressive on the day I tasted it. If so, then obviously my score will have proven depressed. Jean-Nicolas Meo harvested 2006 fruit between 13.25-14.25% potential alcohol, slightly higher than in 2005. Except for a few instances of vineyards touched by hail, he said, he vinified in essentially the same way (including the same percentages of new barrels) as he had in 2005. Meo notes that the pHs of his 2006s ended up quite high after their malos, and while this contributes to their sense of softness and generosity, I sometimes find these wines wanting for some vivacity or primary juiciness. (I have appended to the description of Meo's negociant bottlings the words "Frere et Soeur" that appear underneath "Meo-Camuzet" on their labels.) Importer: Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524. Also a Jean-Marie de Champs Selection (various importers), French fax 011 33 3 80 22 58 25
David Schildknecht - The Wine Advocate, 21 December 2009