Tasted blind at the annual "Burgfest" tasting in Beaune. The 2012 Richebourg Grand Cru from Domaine Jean Grivot has a slight reduction on the nose, but underneath there is plenty of intense black and red fruit, touch of dried blood and black pudding. It does repay several minutes aeration, gaining more and more clarity. The palate is medium-bodied with dry tannin, moderate balance but it attenuates slightly towards the finish. There is a regal grand cru here but it is obdurate and backward - which is excusable for this vineyard. This is simply magnificent to its very core. - Neal Martin

As is almost always the case chez Grivot the Richebourg is the best wine in the range and so it is again in 2012. In the same fashion as the 2013 this possesses the most floral-scented nose among this group of 2012s along with a plethora of spice elements adding interest to the densely fruited but airy, cool and elegant aromas. There is a wonderfully deep reserve of dry extract that completely buffers the exceptionally firm tannic spine as well as imparts a velvety mouth feel to the intensely mineral-driven, focused and overtly powerful imposingly-scaled flavors. I very much like the subtle interplay of acid/fruit and extract, all of which contribute to the perfect balance on the hugely long finish. In short, this is stunningly good and a definite 'wow' wine.

Intense, yet with refined aromas of black cherry, black currant, violet and spice. Packed with sweet fruit on a sleek, elegant frame, this exhibits harmony and complexity. Shows terrific length on the fantail finish, picking up a distinctive mineral note and a minty accent. Best from 2019 through 2035. 36 cases imported. –BS