2010 Domaine de l'Arlot Romanée-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru

The 2010 Romanée St. Vivant is a hard wine to fully evaluate at this stage. It was the last wine to finish its malolactic fermentation and is therefore developing at a slower pace than the other wines in the lineup. Currently it is the wine's intensity, energy and drive that come through loud and clear. Given the exceptional level of the estate's 2010s, there is every reason to be optimistic about the Richebourg. I look forward to re-tasting this wine in a few months, at which time my rating may need to be revised upward.

(the malo finished in September, at least three months after the rest of these 2010s): Good bright red-ruby. Still quite reduced on the nose, but aeration brought rich aromas of wild strawberry, black raspberry, minerals and mocha. Then tight, juicy and unevolved on the palate, conveying an impression of considerable power. The least expressive today of these young 2010s, but the very long, tannic finish expands impressively as the wine opens in the glass.

The 2010 Romanee St. Vivant is a hard wine to fully evaluate at this stage. It was the last wine to finish its malolactic fermentation and is therefore developing at a slower pace than the other wines in the lineup. Currently it is the wine’s intensity, energy and drive that come through loud and clear. Given the exceptional level of the estate’s 2010s, there is every reason to be optimistic about the Richebourg. I look forward to re-tasting this wine in a few months, at which time my rating may need to be revised upward. Anticipated maturity: 2022-2035. I was struck by the sheer beauty of the wines I tasted at Domaine de l’Arlot. The 2010s are stunning, while the 2009s are among the most structured wines of that year. Notes on the domaine’s 2009s will be published in the April issue. The 2010s are also the last wines made by Olivier Leriche, who left the domaine after the 2011 harvest. Leriche was replaced by Jacques Devauges, whose previous experience includes time at Frederic Magnien and Domaine de la Vougeraie. As is the case throughout the region, 2010 is a vintage marked by the devastating December frost, an irregular flowering caused by poor weather and continuing bad weather throughout the summer. Yields were down 30-40% across the board. The wines, however, are stunning, and I urge readers to check them out. Various American importers, including: A Daniel Johnnes Selection imported by Michael Skurnik Wines, Syosset, NY, tel. (516) 677-9300; Classic Wine Imports, Norwood, MA; tel. (781) 278-2000; Triage Wines Inc., Seattle, WA; tel. (503) 236-6262; Chambers & Chambers, San Francisco, CA; tel. (415) 642-5500; Ansonia Wines, Washington D.C.; tel. (202) 506-4215; USA Wine Imports, New York, NY; tel. (212) 941-7133