A wine of pure silkiness, finesse and lyric beauty, the 2011 Romanée St.-Vivant graces the palate with dried rose petals, mint, violets and bright red berries, all supported by super-polished, crystalline tannins. Cool veins of underlying minerality support the precise, articulate finish. The 2011 is an introspective Burgundy built for the cellar, but it is drop-dead gorgeous.

The Romanee-Saint-Vivant was picked on 8 and 9 September at 24.7hl/ha. Now this has a very interesting bouquet, quite distinct from the Richebourg and the Grands Echezeaux. It is much more exuberant and lifted, very perfumed with fresh strawberry, red cherries, dried rose petals and a touch of quince. This is so lively and vivacious, as if it borrowed some of the succulence from the 2009 vintage. The palate is quite precocious on the entry, the mouth instantaneously tingling with glee. There is a beautiful crescendo before fanning out towards its silky caressing finish. There is something playful and joyous about this Romanee-Saint-Vivant, carefree and alluring, a wine to be enjoyed as much as respected. 1,164 cases produced. Drink 2016-2035.

Bright, deep red-ruby. Aromas of blackberry and crushed rock show an almost chocolatey ripeness. Very dense, pure and impressively rich, with the very ripe chocolatey character continuing on the palate. The broad finish features mouthcoating tannins. Less classic than the 2010 version but there's major material here.

Bright mid red. Light, subtle nose. Is this in a dormant phase? But on the palate there’s a complex interplay of flavours while being quite delicate. Not an obvious grand cru in terms of palate weight but definitely grand cru in terms of complexity. Fresh and detailed. Very juicy and with a long future ahead. Long! (JR)