The 2012 Romanée St Vivant, incidentally served before Richebourg rather than afterwards unlike previous years, was picked on September 28 and 29 at 24 hectoliters per hectare. There is a wondrous, ethereal purity to this 2012, a little more sumptuous than I recall it from barrel, with kirsch and freshly picked strawberries. As it opens, it gains more and more sensuality. The palate is rounded, almost curvaceous in the mouth, clearly more concentrated than the 2011 with a sense of authority and purpose, a bit of daring-do on the long finish. It leaves a slightly ferrous residue on the aftertaste, completing what is a marvelous and sensual Grand Cru. (NM)

This is notably more elegant with its pure and exquisitely perfumed and markedly floral nose that displays a huge array of Vosne-style spice elements along with a trace of oak. There is an ultra-refined mouth feel to the equally pure, intense, detailed and lilting medium-bodied flavors that appear to possess a bit more volume than usual before culminating in a penetrating and intense finish that is also quite compact and linear at present. The underlying reserves of dry extract are undeniably deep and buffer well the firm but not hard tannic spine and overall, this is a wine of grace and harmony. It's interesting as the mouth feel is light, indeed almost delicate yet the flavor authority is remarkable; it is the epitome of what I like to describe as power without weight.

Dense, concentrated and introvert. Silky start and then it closes up. Very firm and with a massive tannic charge under some well-disciplined fruit. Almost severe. You would certainly be crazy to open this before 2025 and should ideally wait much longer. Not high on charm for the moment. Great structure and magnificent potential. Just a bit of a throb on the end. Silky and gorgeous after time. Minerals and really opened out. 19+/20 points (JR)