2012 Romanee-St-Vivant
By Domaine de la Romanee-Conti
2012 Romanee-St-Vivant from Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, Burgundy, France
Amid the pantheon of legendary Burgundian crus, the 2012 Romanee-St-Vivant from Domaine de la Romanee-Conti emerges with an aura of regality and finesse. The year 2012 itself was a testament to the tenacity of Burgundy's vignerons, where challenging weather conditions gave rise to a limited yield, yet a vintage of impressive concentration and depth.
Decoding the Nuances of a Complex Vintage
The mere whisper of Domaine de la Romanee-Conti conjures anticipation, and their 2012 offering does not disappoint. A palimpsest of climatic hardships, from a cold winter through to a tumultuous summer, shaped a vintage that demands recognition for its resilience and eventual craftsmanship. Through adversity emerged a wine fraught with intricacy, delivering an aromatic kaleidoscope commencing with fresh violets and succulent cherries, evolving into earthy undertones and elegantly laced oak.
On the palate, one discovers the hallmark balance typical of Domaine de la Romanee-Conti. Here we find tannins with the texture reminiscent of silk woven by arachnid preciseness. The 2012 vintage layers its rich fruit core with subtle minerality and a finish of extraordinary length—manifesting not as a mere echo but as a symphony that resonates with each sip.
A Confluence of Rarity and Pedigree: The Investor’s Prize
For connoisseurs considering the investment potential inherent within fine wines, the 2012 Romanee-St-Vivant holds considerable promise. Bearing Domaine de la Romanee-Conti's imprimatur ensures it garners attention from collectors worldwide, while the vintage's low production volumes accentuate its scarcity.
The quintessence of the 2012 Romanee-St-Vivant lies not only in the glass but also in its prospective ascension within the portfolios of discerning investors. The convergence of its eloquent expression, vintage singularity and investment viability positions it as one of the more compelling considerations within the Burgundy sphere for those poised to embrace its legacy.
In sum, for those seeking to embellish their cellar or fortify their assets, this nuanced nectar presents an elegant duality: a touchstone for palatial pleasure and a beacon for potential capital gains.
Market price (GBP)
£37,800.00
12x75cl
Highest score
96
POP score
2362.5
Scores and tasting notes
The 2012 Romanée St Vivant, incidentally served before Richebourg rather than afterwards unlike previous years, was picked on September 28 and 29 at 24 hectoliters per hectare. There is a wondrous, ethereal purity to this 2012, a little more sumptuous than I recall it from barrel, with kirsch and freshly picked strawberries. As it opens, it gains more and more sensuality. The palate is rounded, almost curvaceous in the mouth, clearly more concentrated than the 2011 with a sense of authority and purpose, a bit of daring-do on the long finish. It leaves a slightly ferrous residue on the aftertaste, completing what is a marvelous and sensual Grand Cru. 1,148 cases produced.
Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 27 February 2015