Domaine de l'Arlot Romanee St Vivant Grand Cru 2023
(Burgundy, France) - [JS 98] [VM 96] [JM 96]

About the Domaine:
Jean-Pierre de Smet defined the winemaking style at Domaine de L’Arlot with his philosophy that “the more one knows, the less one interferes.” In 2002, he brought biodynamic farming to the domaine and even cured the wood that would eventually be made into the estate’s barrels. Jean-Pierre retired in 2007 turning over the estate to Olivier Leriche, who followed the same philosophy and believed that every decision has to “respect the soil, respect the plants, and ensure that both are in harmony with the environment.”

About this Wine:
The Grand Cru vineyard of Romanée Saint Vivant is a neighboring plot to the famous Romanée-Conti. Its soils are composed of a mixture of clay and limestone, producing vines averaging 40 years of age.The vineyard has been organically farmed since 2000, and has additionally become bio-dynamic since 2003. 

The grapes are hand picked, twice sorted (once on the vine, then at the crush pad after being picked). All transfers are made via gravity flow. By avoiding the use of pumps, the integrity of the grapes are better preserved. Domaine de l'Arlot takes a very hands off approach to winemaking. 

This wine is aged 15 months in French oak barrels (228L), 40% of which are new.

Romanée-Saint-Vivant takes its name from the 10th-century monastery of Saint Vivant, whose monks originally tended the vines here.

Tasting Note:
A magnificent bouquet is revealed in the glass: black cherries, hints of iodine and violets, rose and peony. It's a rich, harmonious bouquet that sits alongside precise, delicate tannins on the palate. Long, fine and powerful, this is a wine full of charm.

Ratings & Review

98 Points - James Suckling:
"This wine exudes the finesse and class of this grand cru. Aromas of blue and red fruit, flowers and stony minerality with a savory undertone coming form a hint of reduction. The palate is seamlessly integrated, with silky tannins and a textural, silky mouthfeel. This is everything you could expect and more from the 2023 vintage. Truly excellent. Drink now or lay down for decades; either decision is the right one." (May 2025)

94-96 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2023 Romanée-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru has a gorgeous bouquet that blossoms in the glass. Dark cherries, touches of violet and iodine just soar with aeration—wonderfully delineated. The palate is medium-bodied with svelte tannins and a killer line of acidity, very harmonious through the linear and poised finish. This is quite understated for an RSV. Lovely." – Neal Martin (Jan 2025)

94-96 Points - Jasper Morris' Inside Burgundy:
"A medium deep ruby crimson colour. The fruit takes a little coaxing but there is evidently plenty waiting to emerge. The ripeness is slightly more evident here in the darker fruit profile, heading towards black raspberry, but the wine is by no means too ripe. There remains a crispness to the structure and finish. Understated in the Arlot style, but fine. This should build in bottle, to add volume of fruit to its undoubted purity. Drink from 2032-2040." (Nov 2024)