2006 Richebourg
By Domaine de la Romanee-Conti
2006 Richebourg from Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, Burgundy, France
Embarking upon a sensory journey with the 2006 Richebourg from Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, one engages with a vintage that emerges as a nuanced whisper in the annals of Burgundy, expressing an elegance that distinctively sets it apart within the revered halls of this iconic producer.
An Investment in Complexity and Grace
The investment savvy are quite aware that each year sculpts its narrative in the vineyard, and the narrative of 2006 is a tale of challenges met with expertise. A cool, wet spring was followed by an erratic summer, requiring astute vigilance from vignerons. Amid these conditions, the prowess of Domaine de la Romanee-Conti’s team shone through, culminating in a harvest that delicately balanced ripeness with crisp acidity.
Distinctive Attributes of a Refined Vintage
This fine specimen displays an enveloping bouquet of dark cherries and ripe strawberries, entwined with refined earthy undertones and hints of exotic spice, mirroring a tapestry adorned with touches that only a cooler vintage can imprint. On the palate, the 2006 Richebourg is a paragon of finesse; the firm tannins have softened over time into a silkier embrace that still promises longevity. A harmonious interplay between fruit and terroir-derived minerality reveals itself with each contemplative sip.
For investors, the 2006 Richebourg stands as a testament to Domaine de la Romanee-Conti's adaptability in shaping elegant wines even under meteorologically capricious skies. This is not simply a wine to be sipped—it is to be studied and savoured as one reflects on the meticulous care woven into each drop by Burgundy’s esteemed winemakers.
In summation, amongst Burgundy aficionados and astute investors alike, this 2006 vintage presents an opportunity to explore a wine imbued with distinction, poise, and vitality—an offering reflecting careful stewardship of the land and vintage circumstances navigated with utmost skill.
Market price (SGD)
$62,400.00
12x75cl
Highest score
93
POP score
2875.38
Scores and tasting notes
The Domaine's 2006 Richebourg leads with ripe, bright red fruits and smoked meat; fills the palate with sweet fruit concentrates and abundant, fine tannin, while tart notes of fruit skin, bitterness of cherry pit, and bittersweet vanilla lend counterpoint and invigoration; and finishes with striking suggestions of smoked and roasted meat as well as crushed stone and iodine. What starts out suggestive of sweetness and light, turns dark and brooding. If you don't find that too depressing a metaphor to contemplate, and if you have patience (and, naturally, the requisite budget), this should be seriously worth revisiting from around 8-15 or more years of age. The Domaine de La Romanee-Conti harvested from the 20th-25th of September (commencing with Richebourg) and subjected the crop to rigorous sorting. Understandably, the viticultural meticulousness at this estate as well as its team of some 60 highly-skilled and –motivated pickers paid dividends in the context of a challenging vintage. Director Aubert de Villaine and cellarmaster Bernard Noblet vinified their 2006s with a lesser share of stems and whole clusters, and exposed them to new wood for a shorter period (thereafter racking into older barrels) than the corresponding 2005s. Importer: Wilson-Daniels, St. Helena, CA; tel. (707) 963-9661
David Schildknecht - The Wine Advocate, 21 December 2009