Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Romanee-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru 2000 0,75L

Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Romanée-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru 2000

The Estate

Domaine de la Romanée-Conti requires no introduction to serious wine collectors—it is, quite simply, the most prestigious wine estate on Earth. Co-owned by the de Villaine and Leroy families since the 18th century, DRC produces wines from the greatest Grand Cru parcels in Burgundy, farmed with biodynamic practices and vinified with methods perfected over generations.

The domaine’s holdings read like a greatest hits of Burgundian viticulture: monopoles Romanée-Conti and La Tâche, plus parcels in Richebourg, Romanée-Saint-Vivant, Échezeaux, Grands-Échezeaux, and Corton. From these hallowed vineyards, DRC produces wines of extraordinary depth, complexity, and longevity—bottles that command prices rivaling fine art and appear at auction with the frequency and fanfare of masterpieces.

DRC’s winemaking philosophy emphasizes minimal intervention: biodynamic viticulture with microscopic yields (often 20-25 hl/ha), whole-cluster fermentation, aging in 100% new French oak, and bottling without filtration. The goal is to allow each terroir to express itself with perfect clarity while providing the structure for decades of aging. The results speak for themselves: wines that collectors treasure as liquid history.

Romanée-Saint-Vivant: Elegance Defined

Romanée-Saint-Vivant represents the feminine side of DRC’s portfolio—a Grand Cru where elegance, refinement, and aromatic complexity take precedence over power. This 9.44-hectare vineyard lies directly below Romanée-Conti, sharing similar limestone soils but positioned lower on the slope, resulting in wines of seductive perfume and silky texture.

DRC’s 5.29-hectare parcel represents the largest single holding within RSV. The terroir features shallow topsoil over limestone bedrock, providing excellent drainage and forcing vines to dig deep for water and nutrients. The slightly lower elevation and gentler slope produce wines with less concentration than Richebourg or La Tâche but extraordinary aromatic complexity and refined tannins.

Among collectors, RSV is prized for its approachability in youth while maintaining the structure for decades of aging. The wines express classic Burgundian elegance: red fruit purity, floral aromatics (rose, violet), subtle spice, and the transparent minerality that distinguishes great terroir. DRC’s biodynamic farming and minimal intervention winemaking allow RSV’s innate grace to shine.

The 2000 Vintage

The 2000 vintage represents one of Burgundy’s legendary modern years—perfect millennium harvest. Ideal weather throughout the growing season culminated in pristine September: warm days, cool nights, no rain during harvest. Result: exceptional phenolic maturity combined with vibrant acidity—wines built for decades. For DRC, 2000 stands alongside 1999, 2002, and 2005 as one of the decade’s finest.

Critics universally praised 2000 for producing wines with both immediate appeal and extraordinary aging potential. For RSV specifically, the vintage’s balance enhanced the terroir’s natural elegance: ripe fruit married to structure, aromatics married to minerality, power tempered by refinement. Everything collectors seek from great RSV.

Now at 24 years, the 2000 RSV has reached peak maturity—the absolute perfect moment for opening. Primary fruit has evolved into savory complexity, tannins have melted into silky integration, and tertiary aromatics add profound depth. This is mature RSV demonstrating why aged Burgundy commands museum prices: ethereal elegance perfected over two decades of bottle age.

Tasting Experience

• At 24 years, the aromatics showcase RSV’s elegance fully matured: red cherry, raspberry, cranberry persist but now wrapped in layers of tertiary complexity—dried rose petals, violet, exotic spice, truffle, leather, forest floor, dried herbs. The whole-cluster fermentation’s herbal notes have evolved beautifully. Minerality (iron, limestone) provides backbone to delicate perfume. This is aged RSV perfection.
• The palate reveals complete evolution: refined tannins have melted into the ethereal texture that defines aged RSV. Medium-bodied with beautiful density yet maintaining almost weightless elegance. Red fruit flavors (cherry, raspberry, cranberry) alongside savory complexity: cured meat, black tea, dried mushroom, sous-bois. Vibrant acidity provides lift despite 24 years.
• Mid-palate depth shows complete sophistication: layers of flavor—fruits, flowers, earth, spice, minerals, completely integrated oak. The wine maintains RSV’s signature: less powerful than Richebourg or La Tâche but more purely elegant, more refined, more beautifully delicate. This is aged Pinot Noir as ethereal lace.
• The finish extends for beautiful length—70+ seconds—leaving lingering impressions of red cherry, dried rose, truffle, iron, exotic spice. The maturity is perfect: tertiary complexity fully developed while retaining core elegance and surprising freshness. The wine continues evolving in glass for 3-4 hours.
• This is museum-quality aged DRC RSV: 24 years have transformed youthful elegance into mature ethereal beauty. The wine demonstrates why collectors treasure aged RSV—it evolves into weightless sophistication. The 2000, from a legendary vintage, is drinking perfectly now with perhaps 5-10 years remaining. A masterpiece of aged elegant Burgundy.

Service & Food Pairing

Serve at 15-16°C (cooler than young wines) in finest Burgundy stems. Decant 45-60 minutes—mature elegant wines need minimal air. Pour extremely gently to avoid disturbing significant sediment. Stand bottle upright 24 hours before opening. Allow 30 minutes in glass. Evolves 3-4 hours. Meditation wine requiring reverence.

Exceptional pairings:

• Delicate game: wild duck with cherry reduction, roasted pheasant
• Refined preparations: veal with morels, lamb with herbs
• Fresh Périgord truffle: scrambled eggs, risotto, simple preparations
• Mature cheeses: Époisses at peak, aged Comté, Brillat-Savarin
• Or drink alone in contemplation—aged RSV deserves undivided attention

Cellaring & Evolution

At 24 years, peak maturity—perfect moment for drinking. RSV’s elegant terroir typically ages 25-30 years maximum. Collectors opening now experience aged RSV at finest: savory complexity fully developed, tannins completely integrated, profound elegance. Those with multiple bottles should drink most now, cellar one for 5-8 final years. Storage critical at this age: 12-14°C, 70-75% humidity, complete darkness. Provenance absolutely essential—ensure perfect fill and documented storage.

Collector’s Note: DRC RSV 2000 represents ultimate prize for collectors of aged elegant Burgundy: legendary millennium vintage, perfect peak maturity, DRC’s largest RSV holding. At auction, mature DRC from exceptional vintages command premium prices. The 2000, drinking perfectly now, offers immediate transcendent pleasure—experience aged Burgundy at its most refined. A museum-piece bottle at absolute peak. Open soon to experience perfection.