[TN] '88 Gros Richebourg

Clive Coates tasted five 1988 Richebourgs in 1991 and they are described in his book CDote d'Or published in 1997. Of course impressions can change over the years as the wines mature, and different people like to drink Burgundy at different stages. I would say that Coates likes Burgundy at best perhaps not as old as does Broadbent, but older than does Parker, although you likely could find many exceptions to this. Coates rates on a 20 point scale. Of the five

1988 Richebourgs, Coates liked that of Jean Grivot least and rates it as 15. He found much to like about it, but mentions a bizarre nose. He rates the Anne and Francois Gros as 17. He calls it delicate- more Musigny than Richebourg. He says it is very good, but does not have quite the extra for fine. He rates the Jean Gros a hair better at 17.5. He also rates the DRC as 17.5. He rates the Leroy top at 19.5 and called it very much an infant when tasted. He mentions great intensity of flavor and class.

The only 1988 I have opened is Musigny VV from de Vogue. I suspect it may now be near the peak. The only 1988 Richebourg I have is the Leroy(2 bottles), and I do not plan to open it for a few years.

Mark, I am more interested in the Duck. Why do you term it "gamey". What do you attribute the gameness to - the duck or the freezer?

I term it gamey because it tastes close to the wild duck (and other game birds) that I've eaten. We've purchased ducks from this producer the last 2-3 years and they always have a pronounced gaminess to them, a trait that I happen to like very much, both in meat and in wine ;-) I half expect to clomp down on a piece of birdshot when eating these, but no lead pellets so far!

Mark Lipton

I have 5 bottles of '88 Richebourg domaine gros friere et soeur.

they are the last of a 30 case purchase of '88 burgundy, of which 2 were Richebourg. i made this purchase about 10 years ago from macurther liquors (bassins)in dc. i do not know of his storage conditions. i have a cellar that is below ground level. it is constant 64-65 degrees F.

i was not that thrilled with the wines, and sent about 25 cases to the chicago wine auction.

i recall my favorite ow the whole lot was a Ramonet Chassagne Montrachet(red). had 3-4 cases of it.

how do i get rid of the last 5 bottles?

price seems to have gone up a lot.doubt if the wine has improved at all. worst of the batch is low neck fill, one has a bit of leak on the cap.

Winebid is probably your best outlet unless you know of a local retailer that purchases cellars or sells on consignment. Your storage conditions and quantity argue against going with a traditional auction house. I'm sorry to hear that you weren't more found of those wines: '88 was a tough year and many of the wines either still aren't ready or never will be. Still, there are numerous gems from that year, but it does require some selectivity.

Mark Lipton

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