Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Romanee-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru 2002 0,75L

Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Romanée-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru 2002

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 2002 Vintage

The 2002 vintage represents one of Burgundy’s great modern years—a harvest that delivered wines of perfect balance, concentration, and structure. An ideal growing season culminated in pristine September weather, allowing complete phenolic maturity while preserving acidity. Critics praised 2002 for producing wines with both immediate appeal and extraordinary aging potential—the hallmark of legendary vintages.

For DRC, 2002 stands alongside 2000, 2005, and 2009 as one of the decade’s finest. The estate’s biodynamic farming and old vines extracted maximum quality. RSV specifically benefited from the vintage’s balance: the elegant terroir combined with perfect ripeness to produce wines of seductive aromatics and refined structure—everything collectors seek from this Grand Cru.

Now at 22 years, the 2002 DRC RSV has reached peak maturity—the perfect moment for opening. Primary fruit has evolved into savory complexity, tannins have fully integrated into silky texture, and tertiary aromatics (truffle, leather, forest floor) add profound depth. This is mature Burgundy demonstrating why DRC commands museum prices: elegance perfected over decades of bottle age.

Tasting Experience

• At 22 years, the aromatics showcase RSV’s legendary elegance fully matured: red cherry, raspberry, and cranberry fruit persist but are now wrapped in layers of tertiary complexity—rose petals (dried and fresh), violet, exotic spice (cinnamon, star anise), truffle, leather, forest floor, dried herbs. The whole-cluster fermentation adds subtle herbal notes. The minerality (iron, limestone) provides backbone to the perfume.
• The palate reveals complete evolution: the refined tannins have melted into the silky texture that defines aged RSV. Medium-to-full-bodied with beautiful density yet maintaining ethereal elegance. Red fruit flavors (cherry, raspberry, cranberry) persist alongside savory complexity: cured meat, black tea, dried mushroom, sous-bois. Vibrant acidity provides lift despite 22 years of age.
• Mid-palate depth shows RSV’s completeness: layer upon layer of flavor and texture—fruits, flowers, earth, spice, minerals, subtle oak (now completely integrated). The wine maintains RSV’s signature elegance: less powerful than Richebourg or La Tâche but more refined, more aromatic, more purely beautiful. This is Pinot Noir as delicate lace rather than powerful tapestry.
• The finish extends for remarkable length—75+ seconds—leaving lingering impressions of red cherry, rose petal, truffle, iron, and exotic spice. The maturity is perfect: tertiary complexity fully developed while retaining core elegance and freshness. The wine continues evolving in the glass for 3-4 hours, revealing subtle new dimensions.
• This is museum-quality DRC RSV: 22 years have transformed youthful elegance into mature sophistication. The wine demonstrates why collectors treasure RSV—it ages gracefully into ethereal beauty rather than heavy power. The 2002, from a legendary vintage, is drinking perfectly now with perhaps 5-10 more years ahead. A masterpiece of elegant Burgundy.

Service & Food Pairing

Serve at 16-17°C (slightly cooler than young wines) in the finest Burgundy stems—Zalto Burgundy or Riedel Sommelier Series. Decant 60-90 minutes before service—mature elegant wines need less air than powerful young wines. Pour extremely gently to avoid disturbing significant sediment. Stand the bottle upright for 24 hours before opening. Allow 30+ minutes in the glass. The wine will continue evolving for 3-4 hours. This is a meditation wine requiring reverence and attention.

Exceptional pairings:

• Roasted game: wild duck breast with cherry reduction, roasted pheasant, partridge with truffle
• Delicate preparations: veal with morel sauce, lamb with herbs de Provence
• Fresh Périgord truffle: scrambled eggs with truffle, risotto with truffle, simple preparations that honor both wine and ingredient
• Mature cheeses: Époisses at peak ripeness, aged Comté, Brillat-Savarin
• Or drink alone in contemplation—RSV’s elegance deserves undivided attention

Cellaring & Evolution

At 22 years from vintage, this wine has reached full maturity—the perfect moment for drinking. The 2002 vintage’s structure has fully resolved into elegant complexity. Collectors opening now experience RSV at its finest: savory complexity fully developed, tannins completely integrated, profound aromatic depth. Those with multiple bottles should drink most now while cellaring one for another 5-8 years to witness final evolution. DRC RSV from great vintages can age 30-35 years, though peak drinking rarely extends beyond 25-30 years given the terroir’s elegance-focused character.

Critical storage note: At this age, provenance is absolutely essential. Ensure perfect fill levels (original fill or high shoulder), intact capsules, and fully documented storage history. Store remaining bottles horizontally at 12-14°C with 70-75% humidity in complete darkness. Handle with extreme care—mature RSV is delicate.

Collector’s Note: The 2002 DRC Romanée-Saint-Vivant represents the ultimate prize for collectors of elegant Burgundy: legendary vintage, perfect maturity, DRC’s largest RSV holding, and proven quality. At auction, mature DRC wines from exceptional vintages command premium prices. The 2002, now drinking perfectly, offers immediate transcendent pleasure—collectors opening now experience aged Burgundy at its most refined and elegant. RSV is less expensive than Richebourg or La Tâche but offers equal sophistication for those who treasure finesse over power. A museum-piece bottle at peak drinking maturity.