2014 - Romanee-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru, Leroy

The 2014 Romanée St Vivant Grand Cru has a pure bouquet as you would expect, an equal mixture of red and black fruit, but infused with cold stone, wet limestone scents. This is beautifully focused. The palate is very well balanced with superb density, almost Richebourg-like in style, here veering towards dark red fruit -- cranberry, wild strawberry and a touch of brown spice towards the supremely focused and long finish. Sophisticated and precise, this is a Romanée-Saint-Vivant that will rivet you to your seat.

The 2014 Romanée St. Vivant is a bit reduced today, but it possesses striking depth and density. This is an especially dark, dense RSV, and yet there is plenty of underlying grip. Readers will have to be especially patient, as the 2014 does not appear like it will drink at its best anytime soon. A finish endowed with substantial tannin and high acidity only reinforces that impression.