Richebourg doesn’t just represent the pinnacle of Grand Cru Burgundy, it’s the totality of Pinot Noir, the be-all and end-all of luxury wine, and the world’s most fiercely sought-after cellar magnet. This hallowed vineyard site, shared by an all-star cast of historic estates, is world renown for producing among the most complex, perfumed, deeply mineral, and shockingly desirable/unobtainable wines on the planet. Just hearing “Richebourg” quickens the hearts of Burgundy collectors, but in the trusted hands of Domaine Gros Frère et Soeur, they start pumping at breakneck speeds. No matter the producer, those seeking to acquire even one bottle of Richebourg must first brace themselves for the appalling sticker shock: $1,200 for Lucien Le Moine; $1,500 for Jean Grivot; $2,000 for Méo-Camuzet; $3,500 for DRC; “ungodly” for Domaine Leroy. And that’s if you can even find a bottle from a
trusted source, which I promise is a considerable challenge.
That’s why I constantly come back to Gros Frère—one of my personal favorite addresses in Burgundy—because I can guarantee perfect provenance and it being the standout value of the bunch. It is a highly limited, one-way ticket to red Burgundy Shangri-La, and while it’s certainly not affordable, there’s no questioning this wine is among the greatest cellar investments we offer. As forecasted, the inevitable Richebourg price increase has come yet again, but it’s quite negligible when considering most other retailers in America are charging $600-$700+ for today's exact wine. Purchases must be restricted to two bottles per customer. Free Ground Shipping on one.
Warning: A complicated family tree lies ahead, so proceed at your own risk. The Gros family arrived in Vosne-Romanée in the 1830s and subsequently began a winemaking dynasty in Burgundy. Gros Frère et Soeur was formed in 1963 when brother and sister (frère et soeur) Gustave and Colette combined their land inheritance after their father’s estate holdings from Domaine Gros-Renaudot were split among his sons and daughters (thanks to Napoleon I decreeing that estates must be equally split between the owner’s children). A further subdivision occurred when Gustave and Colette’s brother, Jean Gros, divvied up his holdings between his own offspring, Michel Gros, Anne-Françoise Gros (not to be confused with famed Anne Gros, who is their cousin), and Bernard Gros. Instead of forming his own domaine, Bernard Gros took over for Uncle Gustave at Gros Frère et Soeur when he passed away in 1984. Bernard now represents the sixth generation of Gros winemakers and today, his son Vincent joins his side. Can you recite all that?
Richebourg is divided into two lieux-dits, “Le Richebourg” and “Les Véroilles-ou-Richebourg,” with Bernard and Vincent’s 1.7-acre parcel lying in the latter of the two. Soils are the classic limestone-clay blend and Gros Frère et Soeur farms according to lutte raisonnée principles; they drastically restrict yields and pruning is done to an almost neurotic extent in order to achieve the greatest levels of ripeness and concentration. In the winery, de-stemmed grapes ferment in stainless steel vats and age in 100% new French oak for about 16 months. The wine is lightly fined and always bottled unfiltered.
Because this 2016 Richebourg will take many years and decades in perfect stride, I suggest cellaring it as long as humanly possible—the more patient you are, the better it’ll be. That said, I’ve always been blown away by the profundity of Gros Frère wines in their youth, so if you cannot fend off an impossible urge to open one of these Grand Cru rarities now, decant at least three hours before pouring into bulbous Burgundy stems around 60 degrees. In the glass, the wine shines a deep ruby core and flaunts a spicy, floral, and dark berry profile: boysenberry, ripe cherries, black raspberry, damp roses, redcurrant, wild plums, vanilla, cloves, forest floor, crushed rock, moss, and Pu-erh tea. The palate is powerfully structured yet polished and elegant, bursting with a broodingly rich fusion of brambleberries and robust minerality. Each sip delivers deep, seductive layers that resonate with soft notes of earth and baking spice. The balance of breathtaking power and finesse, plus a superbly long finish highlights the beauty of Grand Cru Richebourg in the most complete way. Savor every ounce as slowly as you can. Cheers!
