Romanée Saint Vivant, Domaine Hudelot-Noellat 2002

A dazzlingly complex and fine nose that is absolutely regal in its elegance and incredible breadth of spice-box aromas are followed ripe, relatively accessible yet incredibly intense flavors that display marvelous depth and perfect balance. Sappy and sweet yet the powerfully long finish is beautifully detailed and focused. A wine that is at once highly expressive yet a model of grace and understatement. In short, this is wonderfully classy juice.

Tasted at Goedhuis's Burgundy tasting at the Saatchi Gallery. I completely under-estimated this upon release. Here the RSV has a refined, well-defined bouquet with light strawberry, rosemary, boysenberry and rose petals. The palate is medium-bodied and very finely balanced with red cherry, mandarin, crushed stone, fanning out wonderfully towards the under-stated finish that is so sensual. Lovely. Drink now-2020. Tasted March 2010.

Medium red. Sexy aromas of raspberry, lavender, cocoa powder, smoke and underbrush. Silky, suave and pure, with highly nuanced but understated flavors of cherry pit, flowers, menthol and underbrush. Offers terrific but very subtle mouth coverage and solid underlying structure. A tangy note of rose petal lifts the smooth finish.