Red-ruby. Spicy black fruits, cocoa powder, violet and spices on the primary nose. A step up in volume, sweetness and depth from the Suchots, with very primary grapey, minerally flavors and hints of exotic fruits. As unevolved as this grand cru is today, it already shows lovely inner-mouth perfume. Very long and ripe on the back end, with the firm tannins covered by sappy fruits and spices.

The medium to dark ruby-colored 1999 Romanee-St.-Vivant exhibits violet and blackberry aromas. This medium to full-bodied wine is rich and flavorful. It is loaded with cherries, raspberries, blueberries, and juicy, super-ripe blackberries. It had been bottled only 72 hours prior to being tasted, which may well account for an ever-so-slight disjointedness. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2011. Importers: A Peter Vezan Selection, Paris fax #011-33-1-42-55-42-93, and also represented by Russell Herman, Berkeley Heights, NJ; tel. (908) 771-9082.