The product image is for illustrative purposes only and may not exactly reflect the actual characteristics of the wine. Domaine Leroy Richebourg 1996 75clAOC Grand Cru | Côte de Nuits | Burgundy | FranceSold outSize 75 clAll vintages 1989 1990 1994 1996 1997 1998 2000 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 Critics scores 98 Robert ParkerThis saturated, dark-colored wine displays an expressive nose of massively sweet and intense cherries that is followed by an oily-textured, mouth-coating, profound, and powerful character. Layer upon layer of black cherries, Asian spices, dried (almost stewed) prunes, cassis, and blackberries can be found in this majestic and masculine wine's flavor profile, as well as in its magnificently long finish. This offering's huge fruit flavors come across as almost jammy yet precisely focused, an extraordinary combination! Its firm and muscular structure will require some cellaring patience. Projected maturity: 2006-2014. Producer Domaine LeroyAs it became increasingly difficult to find wines that met the high standards of the Maison Leroy label, Madame Lalou Bize-Leroy decided to purchase her own vineyards. Piecing together several estates, she established Domaine Leroy in 1988. Today, the vineyards stretch over 21-hectares across mostly Grand Cru and Premier Cru classified zones. Following Lalou Bize-Leroy’s deep-rooted belief that everything is alive – from the soil to the grapes to humanity – she immediately introduced biodynamic farming out of respect for the terroir. This formerly controversial cultivation practice, is now a widely-known holistic approach that focuses on the interconnectedness of our environment – taking into account astrological and cosmic influences as well. Without the use of any chemical fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, or pesticides the vineyards are tended to year round – everything is hand done. The results of this quality-conscious producer are astounding. The wines are extremely concentrated yet refined, with a rare purity that stems from the property’s intuitive vineyards.