Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Romanée-St-Vivant Grand Cru 2022

The 2022 Romanée-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru was picked 7, 8 and 10 September at 39.8 hL/ha. It needs a little time to unfold in the glass. Scents of crushed iris flower commingle with predominantly red berry fruit, hints of peat and even camphor. This augurs a powerful and opulent RSV. The palate is silky smooth and rounded in texture, with what feels like slightly lower acidity than the preceding Grands-Échézeaux. It retains the veins of blue fruit that I observed from barrel. A light touch of white pepper emerges towards the multi-faceted finish. This is very alluring and sensual, showing wonderful persistence with a touch of Szechuan pepper lingering at the tip of the tongue on the aftertaste. Impressive, but outclassed by the Richebourg at the moment. Perhaps this cuvée bares the imprimatur of the growing season more than others?

– Vinous, 95 pts.