A.F. Gros Richebourg Grand Cru 2016 (750ML)

98 VM / 96 JM

The 2016 Richebourg Grand Cru is not as immediate as Thibault Liger-Belair's Richebourg and for a fleeting moment it comes across as a bit disjointed. It only needs a bit of rigorous swirling for it to coalesce into something much more enticing: red plum, crushed strawberry, warm gravel and just a light Cuban cigar scent. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent ripe tannin and seamlessly integrated new oak. This is edgier than the Richebourg from Thibault Liger-Belair, just as captivating in many ways, although it is not as immediate and not as seductive. It boasts amazing persistence, completing a very cerebral and entrancing wine. Tasted blind at the 2016 Burgfest tasting. -- Neal Martin, Vinous Media

Bright balanced red purple. An immediate hit of quality oak, vanilla notes, but there is fruit beneath. And it does not take long for the fruit to rise to the top. Quintessential elegance, rose petals, smooth silky texture, quite a lot of new wood though. Very nicely presented, accessible wine, with good intensity Tasted: September 2019.—Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy