2020 Alain Hudelot-Noellat, Romanee-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru 1x75cl

Neal Martin 96

Despite rigorous coaxing, the 2020 Romanee-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru is tightly wound on the nose and doesn't really blossom in the glass. I find some reduction here. The palate is medium-bodied with sapid red fruit, muscular for its class, yet balanced. It doesn't kick on as well as others on the finish, though I appreciate the spicy aftertaste. It is a little outclassed in the company of others in this flight, yet it coheres and develops a seductive satin texture after 15 minutes in the glass. Tasted blind at the Burgfest tasting. [Neal Martin, 01/10/2024]

Anticipated maturity: 2027-2049

Wine Advocate 96

The 2020 Romanee-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru is framed by a deft application of creamy new oak and unwinds in the glass with aromas of wild berries and plums mingled with hints of orange rind and exotic spices. Full-bodied, layered and multidimensional, it’s deep and velvety, its ample core of fruit framed by lively acids and rich, powdery tannins. Concluding with a long, resonant finish, this might emerge as the finest of the 2018, 2019 and 2020 trio, all of which are extremely successful chez Hudelot-NoA llat. [William Kelley, 31/12/2021]