2016 Domaine de l’Arlot Grand Cru Romanée-Saint-Vivant, Burgundy

In 1991, l’Arlot were able to purchase a few rows of Romanée-Saint-Vivant in the Clos des Quatre Journaux terroir—the ‘island’ situated below La Romanée-Conti. It’s a jewel of a plot, 24 rows over a tiny 0.25-ha parcel that was planted in 1973. It produces, on average, only three barrels of wine and the average Australian allocation is 12-18 bottles! This was vinified with 100% whole bunches in a new 15-hectolitre wooden fermenter, the élevage took place in one-, two- and three-year-old barrels to reduce the wood influence. The less we say the better.

“It has a very feminine, precise bouquet with dark cherries, raspberry, bergamot tea and just a hint of crushed rose petals, not powerful but nicely detailed. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, slightly crunchy in texture, thanks to the stem addition, and very well poised with a mineral-driven finish that flourishes on the aftertaste. This is another excellent contribution to the vintage from the domaine, although here I probably have a preference for the 2015.” 

"Bright ruby-red. Wild aromas of boysenberry, cassis, violet, coffee and cocoa powder. Intensely flavored and sappy but very tightly wound, conveying a strong impression of structure to its slightly tart flavors of cranberry and flowers. This big boy is going to require extended cellaring to absorb its serious tannins. I may be underestimating its potential today.”