Romanée St Vivant, Grand Cru,

The 2010 Romanée-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru precedes Charles Lachaux joining the domaine by a year and it is easy to see the difference in style between this and later vintages. The bouquet is ripe and forward with wild strawberry, dark cherries and mulberry aromas, touches of lavender developing with time in the glass. The palate is quite rich and succulent, an unashamedly decadent Romanée-Saint-Vivant that just feels a little obvious compared to the finesse imbued nowadays. Thoroughly enjoyable, but it feels a little anachronistic. Tasted at the annual Arnoux-Lachaux tasting at Corney & Barrow.