Tasted blind at the Burgundy 2011 horizontal tasting in Beaune. The Romanée-Saint-Vivant 2011 from Domaine de l’Arlot is turning out to be a stunning grand cru. It has a straight-laced and yet brilliantly defined bouquet that is all about precision over power. This is a classy nose – a gun perfectly aimed at the bullseye. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe filigree tannins, well-judged acidity and great depth toward the finish that still has a little unresolved oak to be absorbed. Give this ethereal grand cru another 4-5 years in bottle before broaching. - Neal Martin