2016 Alain Hudelot-Noellat, Richebourg Grand Cru

The 2016 Richebourg Grand Cru has a very harmonious bouquet, a mixture of red and black fruit with hints of crushed violet and freshly shucked oyster shell, later a touch of flint. It is extremely well defined and focused, conveying the sense of aristocracy one seeks from a Richebourg. The palate is medium-bodied with filigreed tannin. There is real density and presence here and it is certainly more expressive than the Romanée-Saint-Vivant at the moment, with palpable tension on the finish. Outstanding.

For reports and full tasting notes, go toTim Atkin MW's website.

Bright ruby-red. More brooding on the nose than the Romanée-Saint-Vivant, conveying a medicinal cast to its aromas of dark berries, licorice pastille and violet. Boasts outstanding density and power but this penetrating wine shows a magically light touch and comes across as distinctly airy today. Not fleshy but delivers superb energy and cut. Quite different in style from the Romanée-Saint-Vivant but then these two grand crus typically go through phases during their élevage , so predicting their final shape and fruit/mineral balance is far more difficult than assessing their quality in the early going.

Truly rich and sumptuous. Transparent with masses of well-judged ripe fruit. Very rewarding. A hint of coffee on the end. But overall this is fine wine. Long and rich. (JR)