Burgundy's Third-Tier Grand Cru - Richebourg Park - Hong Kong Red Wine Recycling Record

The protagonist of the famous Japanese wine manga "Drops of God," Shizuku Kanzaki, once mentioned the wine his father most wanted to drink before he died. This wine was not from Romanee-Conti Grand Cru, nor La Tache Grand Cru, but rather Henri Jayer's 1959 Richebourg Grand Cru red wine.
In 2018, football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, accompanied by his girlfriend, spent 15 minutes consuming two exorbitantly priced bottles of wine worth £27,000 (approximately HK$230,000) in London. One of these bottles was a Richebourg Grand Cru (valued at approximately £18,000 or HK$150,000).

What is the origin of this Richebourg Grand Cru? It is a legendary vineyard in Burgundy, at the pinnacle of prestige. Rated as a "three-star vineyard," the highest tier, by authoritative Burgundy wine critic Jasper Morris, it stands alongside La Tache, Romanee-Conti, and Chambertin. Out of thousands of vineyards in Burgundy, only 14 have achieved this honor.

01. Overview
Richebourg is located in the village of Vosne-Romanée, one of the six single Grand Crus in the village. It is situated at the northernmost point of Vosne-Romanée, on the mid-slope of the Côte d'Or (250-310 meters), adjacent to the famous Grand Crus of La Romanée and Romanée-Conti, and shares similar terroir with the Romanée-Conti vineyard on the same slope. The Romanée-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru is located on the slope below it, while the super-premier cru Cros Parantoux, created by the legendary Henry Jayer, is located on the slope above it.

With an area of 8.03 hectares, it is the second-largest Grand Cru in the village, only slightly smaller than the Romanée-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru. The vineyard is divided into two climats: Les Richebourg, covering 5.05 hectares, and Les Verroilles ou Richebourg, covering 2.98 hectares (merged in 1924 and granted Grand Cru status in 1936).

The soil here consists of pebbly clay and sand overlaying a hard limestone bedrock, dating back to the Jurassic period (175 million years ago). The loose soil, combined with the slope, means the vineyard is well-drained, which helps limit the threat of disease and the vigor of leafy growth. However, the soil in Les Richebourgs is slightly deeper by comparison.

In terms of orientation, the two climats differ. Les Richebourgs faces east, allowing the vines to receive morning sunlight while protecting them from cold westerly winds. Les Veroilles ou Richebourg is located slightly further north, more exposed to northeasterly winds, and its rows run north-south, making it slightly cooler; harvesting there often occurs two to three days later than in Les Richebourgs. The loose soil, combined with the slope, means the vineyard is well-drained, which helps limit the threat of disease and the vigor of leafy growth. However, by comparison, the soil in the Richebourg climat is slightly deeper.

Today, these two climats are generally considered to be of equal quality. Les Veroilles wines are sometimes described as having more pronounced acidity and more minerality, while Les Richebourgs are more concentrated and powerful.

02. History
Richebourg vineyard, Les Richebourgs
The Richebourg vineyard first appeared in documents in 1512, though the origin of its name was not mentioned. Before the French Revolution, the Richebourg vineyard belonged to the local Cistercian Abbey of Cîteaux. After the French Revolution, the vineyard was transferred multiple times and divided among different owners.

In 1920, thanks to Rodier's efforts, the Verroilles vineyard was also listed as a Grand Cru producing vineyard. Perhaps the owners of Verroilles all wanted to sell their wines under the Richebourg name. After extensive communication, negotiation, and even legal disputes, the Verroilles vineyard was finally merged with the Richebourg vineyard in 1924, becoming what we know today as the Richebourg vineyard, sold under the name "Richebourg." In 1936, the merged Richebourg vineyard was classified as a "Grand Cru."

03. Wine Style
Richebourg wines are renowned for their intense, powerful Pinot Noir style, which is elegant and layered, with a strong, delicate, yet full body that can be cellared for many years. Even after 20 years, its fruit aromas may still be present and intense.
Danish wine critic and world-renowned Burgundy author Steen Öhman once tasted a 1985 Henri Jayer Richebourg Grand Cru dry red in 2002 and commented with great emotion: "A very classic Richebourg, big and powerful, still very young at 17 years old."

Hong K Recycling, as a recycling merchant, deeply understands the value of Richebourg red wine and is dedicated to providing professional recycling services to our customers. If you own any Richebourg red wine or other rare red wines, please feel free to contact Hong K Recycling. We will provide you with the best quality recycling service, enhancing the exceptional value of your red wine collection. Let Hong K Recycling be your trusted red wine recycling partner, and together we can appreciate the noble charm of rare red wines.

Want to know the current market value of your collection? WhatsApp 94530784 with a few photos, and we'll reply within 15 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is the maximum value Hong K Recycling offers for red wine?

A: The recycling price for fine wines is based on the Liv-ex international index and recent auction prices. For full-score vintages of DRC Romanée-Conti, Pétrus, Lafite, etc., a single bottle can reach six-figure Hong Kong dollars. The actual quote will consider the vintage, fill level, label completeness, and proof of origin. We recommend WhatsApping your wine details to 94530784 for a detailed quote within 15 minutes.

Q: Do you still buy red wine if the fill level is low or the label has slight wear?

A: Yes. A low fill level (below the shoulder), damaged, or stained label will affect the valuation, but as long as the bottle is original and sealed, has no leakage, and the vintage and wine type are identifiable, Hong K Recycling will still make an offer and will not reduce the price on-site during inspection.

Q: Do I need to provide original purchase receipts when selling fine wine?

A: Receipts can serve as proof of origin (provenance) and help increase the valuation, but they are not mandatory. We will conduct a professional appraisal based on the label, capsule, cork, wine condition, and bottle code. We can still recycle wines without receipts.

Q: What is the difference in recycling between Bordeaux and Burgundy red wines?

A: Bordeaux fine wines (Lafite, Latour, Margaux, etc.) have higher liquidity, and their prices are relatively transparent. Burgundy wines (DRC, Leroy, etc.) have extremely limited production, driving up recycling prices due to scarcity, but the appraisal threshold is also higher. We have specialized appraisal teams for both.

Q: How much does an OWC (Original Wooden Case) affect the recycling price of red wine?

A: Red wines with an OWC usually command a 10-20% higher recycling price. Wooden cases not only prove legitimate origin but also indicate better storage conditions for the wine. If you have an original case of twelve or six bottles, remember to bring it for valuation.

Further Reading - You Might Be Interested In

• 【Market Outlook】2025 Bordeaux "Marathon Vintage" Forecast: How Extreme Climate Affects the Scarce Recycling Value of Future Fine Wines?
• 【Recycling Case Study】Direct Look at a Hong Kong Private Cellar: The Rapid Monetization Process of Petrus and Leroy Full-Score Vintages
• 【Wine Appraisal】Why is the 2012 Château Angélus "Black Gold Label" Commemorative Bottle a Long-standing Favorite in the Recycling Market?