Tasting Notes
Vinous 95
The 2003 Romanee-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru from Domaine de la Romanee-Conti is a wine that I have not tasted since release. It acquits itself supremely well. Slightly deeper in hue than expected, it has a vibrant nose that brushes aside the notorious heat of that summer. Red fruit, candied orange peel, crushed stone and bay leaf are delineated and focused. The palate has excellent balance and tension. Quite finely-chiseled tannins lend this RSV a sense of symmetry, with tart sour cherries adding tension and vibrancy on the finish. Exquisite.
JancisRobinson.com 19
Absolutely staggering to be offered a fourth pour of this stunning wine at last November’s fundraising dinner in aid of Marie Curie at Vintners’ Hall! This was Adam Brett-Smith of Corney & Barrow’s last year as chairman of the committee and he was clearly determined to go out with a bang. C&B represent DRC and he managed to prevail upon Aubert de Villaine to be quite extremely generous. Introducing the wine, Aubert explained that the vines in this heatwave vintage were extremely resilient. The fruit was almost prune-like which faded as the wine settled into the glass. Then the terroir started to assert itself. This was a truly gorgeous wine, which may or may not have been rather sweeter than usual. Tip top. Vibrant. At the top of its game. It probably evolved slightly faster than some other vintages.
Anticipated maturity: 2012-2030
Robert Parker 91
A slightly darker hue compared to the Grands Echezeaux. Again, the nose is very closed at the beginning and demands a few minutes to settle down. Again, broody and deep, but underneath that black cherry starts coming through. Touch of black tea. A firm entry, well-knit tannins that are still just a little unresolved. Does not quite have the sophistication of the Grands Echezeaux. Very tight on the finish. Good persistency. Needs time this one. (994 cases produced) Tasted February 2006.
