Richebourg

Styles

Principal grape varieties

Accessory grape varieties

Terroir

• The vineyard extends solely within the commune of Vosne-Romanée, between Dijon and Nuits-Saint-Georges, in the Côte-d'Or.
• The grand cru appellation area covers 7.23 hectares, producing 317 hectolitres of red wine according to 2023 figures. (via Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0)
• The slope, with a drop of approximately 150 metres, is made up of a succession of Middle Jurassic limestones, including the Comblanchien limestone, a particularly compact formation that forms the structural backbone of the relief.
• A layer of Bajocian marls is interbedded within the limestone sequence in the lower part of the slope, creating a slight terrace in the topography.
• The parcels are situated at the foot of the slope, between 260 and 290 metres in altitude, on a gentle gradient, nestled in the concavity formed by the Bajocian marl layer.
• The soils, poorly developed and shallow, have a high clay content yet remain well-draining owing to the calcareous nature of the subsoil, with a red colour due to the presence of iron oxides.

• The name 'Richebourg' is recorded as early as 1512, and the abbey of Cîteaux held twenty-nine ouvrées there on the eve of the Revolution of 1789, being instrumental in establishing its renown.
• In 1924, the Court of Appeal of Dijon confirmed the inclusion of the neighbouring lieu-dit 'Véroilles sous Richebourg' within the climat 'Richebourg', the geographical boundaries thus defined serving as the basis for the AOC recognised in 1936.
• The planting is dominated by Pinot noir, planted in accordance with the traditions of the Côte de Nuits at a density exceeding 9,000 vines per hectare, across a vineyard of approximately 7.5 hectares producing an average of 200 hectolitres per year as of 2009.
• In 1855, Dr Lavalle classified Richebourg as 'Tête de cuvée hors ligne', a judgement confirmed by the classification of the Viticulture Committee of the arrondissement of Beaune in 1860, which placed all the wines of the lieu-dit in 'first class'.

• The wines are solid and well-structured, combining power and charm, with consistently great harmony in their overall character.
• The intense aromas evoke ripe or candied red and black fruits, musk, leather, and humus, with a very long aromatic finish.
• The ageing potential extends over several decades, which is often beneficial to their full development.

• The gently east-facing slope, sheltered from morning mists and spring frosts and enjoying generous sunshine, favours the production of great wines.
• The iron-oxide-rich clays combined with a surface layer that retains moisture and a well-draining calcareous subsoil ensure optimal water balance and consistent excellence in the wines.

Facts drawn from the specification's terroir-link section by automatic interpretation — see the source.

All appellations in France

Sources

• Product specification (BO Agri, PDF)
• Official INAO text (show_texte)
• INAO product entry
• Official trade body site — BIVB