Romanée Saint Vivant, Domaine Follin-Arbelet 2009

A ripe and exuberantly spicy nose also features an expansive range of fruit aromas that include red, blue and black berries plus plum nuances. The rich, seductive and mouth coating flavors are underpinned by phenolically mature tannins and excellent length where a touch of menthol surfaces. If there is a nit, it seems that this does not have the same level of energy of the best in the range but at this stage of development, this could easily change.

The nose is very refined with good definition: touches of cranberry, wild strawberry and a veneer of new oak. The palate has a lot of creamy oak, but very well defined, crisp acidity with a cutting citric edge. Dark cherry, raspberry and a touch of smoke, building succinctly to a very poised finish overflowing with fruite. Tasted January 2011.