The 2002 Romanée Saint Vivant from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti has a heavenly bouquet. It was served blind but the tangible stem addition betrayed the grower, particularly when it was later compared next to an Henri Jayer. The bouquet is very complex with red berries, tree bark, a touch of dried blood and smoke, but what is striking is the delineation. The palate is medium-bodied and as you would expect, extremely well balanced. There is plenty of sappy red fruit here suffused with sage and rosemary, a touch of spice enlivening a finish that has impressive density (so much so that it could pass as a Richebourg.) I was not the only person to notice how it became more more savory and ferrous in the glass, after 30 minutes suggesting a touch of Japanese tea (the proper, thickly textured type). Just wondrous. Tasted January 2016. - Neal Martin

Highly aromatic indeed almost kaleidoscopic in the sheer breadth of aromas but it's the spice that is so remarkable. The flavors are quite fine with beautiful detail and a drop dead gorgeous velvety texture that is soft in the middle yet quite firm on the terrifically long finish. The overall character here is rather discreet and understated and while there is plenty of character it's clear that this is built along the lines of elegance and finesse rather than the robust power and punch of the Grands Echézeaux. Moreover it has put on weight since it was bottled and while it's not quite as good as the '01 it's not far off.