Location and extent
Richebourg is a Grand Cru appellation in the Côte de Nuits and is entirely located in the commune of Vosne-Romanée in the French Burgundy. According to the area data for 2022, the vineyard area covers a total of 7.23 hectares. The appellation includes the Climats Les Richebourgs and Les Vérroilles or Richebourgs.
Climate and terroir
The continental climate of the Côte de Nuits is characterised by hot summers and dry autumn conditions. The vineyard lies on the slope of Vosne-Romanée at around 250 to 310 metres above sea level, with an easterly to slightly south-easterly aspect. The soils consist of brown limestone which is shallower on the upper slope and deeper on the lower slope, where it also includes rendzina-like soils. In the subsoil there is hard limestone from Premeaux from the Jura, dated to around 175 million years.
Wine character and grape varieties
Richebourg is reserved for Pinot Noir as a Grand Cru and exclusively for still red wines. Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris are permitted as supplementary grape varieties; their combined share is limited to 15 per cent per parcel. The wines show a dark ruby-red to crimson-red colour as well as aromas of red and black fruits, violets and spices. On the palate they are described as powerful and full-bodied.
Appellation and cultivation
The appellation was legally recognised on 11 September 1936. The grapes must come from the delimited Richebourg parcels; harvest, vinification, maturation and élevage are regulated by the appellation requirements. On the label of the wines marketed under this appellation, the designation “grand cru” is required. Provision is made for at least 9,000 vines per hectare and for certain requirements relating to row spacing, vine pruning and no more than eight fruit buds per vine. Chemical weed control, irrigation and permanent soil cultivation of the headlands are prohibited. Maturation must last for at least until 15 June of the year following the harvest.
