"Don't Miss!"
2002 Arnoux Romanée Saint-Vivant
Holy Ground in a Great Vintage
"This is an awe inspiring wine, not only because of the sheer breadth of expression but also because of its incredible complexity." -Burghound
The Burghound is known for being rather cool and calm when it comes to reviewing wines, but he lets loose here.
We shouldn't be too surprised. For Burgundy lovers, we are on holy ground.
Romanée Saint-Vivant is on the short list of the grandest of Grand Crus, right there with Musigny, Chambertin, La Romanée, La Tâche, Romanée Conti and Richebourg.
If Vosne-Romanée's other Grand Crus are known for a blockbuster velvety richness, Romanée Saint-Vivant stands out for it's delicacy, it's whispering fine-ness, and above all, its haunting perfume that subtly weaves earth, smoke and spice. Seasoned wine writers often turn to the Musigny comparison for good reason.
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Pascal Lachaux, the winemaker at Arnoux, seems to have the touch with this site. Arnoux's RSV combines the site's finesse with a stunning weightless intensity. In the great 2002 vintage, this reaches a very high level. (See the Burghound review below.)
Of course, this is Burgundy and this "awe inspiring" wine is in pitifully short supply. On paper, Arnoux's holdings - just .375ha - seem almost ridiculous. For better or worse, that's what we're dealing with. We're happy to get what we can.
Especially when it's from a vintage like 2002. Revisiting the wine now, at the decade benchmark, shows it gaining steam and just beginning to enter its drinking window. For sure, $489.95 is not a small amount of money, yet, do some comparison shopping. The 2005, for example, currently commands nearly $800 - the 2009, just released, is already above $700.
The 2002 vintage is considered one of the best Burgundy vintage in the past fifteen years. The vintage created Burgundies with succulent Pinot fruit and a depth of structure and firm acid streak. It's perfect for highlighting that magical combination of nimble finesse and flavor impact we spoke of above.
Today, for a very select list of top Burgundy buyers, we present our parcel... which really amounts to just a couple cases. That's all. Regardless of the small quantities, this is the sort of wine that's worth pursuing and sharing.
To order, please email us at or call the store at (212) 980-9463.
Ian McFadden
Director Fine & Rare Wine
Crush Wine & Spirits
Burghound: This explodes on the nose with fabulously complex floral aromas of violets, red and black fruit aromas trimmed in anise and earth plus a touch of smoke. The medium-full flavors exceptionally well focused, seductively spicy and wonderfully rich and possess simply stunning length and depth. This is an awe inspiring wine, not only because of the sheer breadth of expression but also because of its incredible complexity. In short, this is one very classy wine.