Romanée Saint Vivant, Domaine Leroy 2002

The Leroy RSV is consistently the reference standard for the vineyard and the 2002 will not disappoint any fans of this wine. Enormously complex, highly aromatic yet reserved in its fashion with perfumed floral notes of spice, violets and black fruit leading to fantastically pure, delineated and silky flavors possessing a certain focused and controlled power. The intensity of the backend is perhaps its most distinguishing characteristic however as it continues in wave after wave on the finish without an end. As admirable as the Renardes is, the RSV is simply at another level, which is all the more impressive given that the essential character of this classy wine at the moment is finesse and understatement. This will live for decades.