2003 Domaine de l'Arlot Romanée-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru

An outstanding effort, the 2003 Romanee-St.-Vivant boasts a stunning nose of violets, roses, candied red cherries, plums, and spices. The only red not to have been acidified, it lustfully expands on the palate revealing oodles of dark cherries, blackberries, and notes of chocolate. Armed with excellent depth, this wine also sports a long, fruit-filled finish.

Author: Pierre Rovani

In contrast to the aromatic range displayed by all of the prior wines, this is distinctly different with an intense floral component that presently dominates the otherwise spicy and very ripe black fruit aromas. The medium full flavors are delicious, sweet and beautifully complex with an unusually fine finish, especially so for the vintage. This is an extremely impressive effort and one that should repay 8 to 10 years of cellar time and last for another decade after that.

Author: Allen Meadows

Issue: 1st Quarter, 2006