Another fine dense purple colour. At first sniff the wine is a little less forthcoming than I expected at first. Some floral aspects certainly, It is on the second half of the palate that the intensity kicks in, entirely red fruit, some lifted spice notes behind, the whole bunch style evident. There is a fresh backbone to this wine, which belies any suggestion of an over-ripe vintage. Ballerina qualities emerge on retasting, this is one of the freshest in its pure red fruit flavour profile. Startling persistence.

The 2018 Romanee-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru has a detailed bouquet of dark cherries, blueberry and pressed iris, an undertow of sea spray and petrichor emerging with time. Less floral than previous vintages, it is nevertheless extremely well focused. The palate is medium-bodied and you are immediately struck by the harmony of this wine. Elegant and discreetly spiced toward the finish. I would just like to see more persistence manifest during the remainder of its elevage. (NM)

Here the nose is brooding to the point of being almost mute and requires aggressive swirling to gradually reveal plum liqueur, purple fruit and a variety of subtle spice and floral wisps. There is terrific punch and detail to the middle weight flavors that aren't quite as concentrated or muscular as those of the Grands Echezeaux yet there is still impressive power on the wonderfully long finish. This is somewhat less refined than it usually is, and not quite as spicy either, though by contrast it is more tannic and a wine that also should develop slowly over the next 25 to 30 years. I found the 2018 to be almost atypical in the sense that it's much more powerful and imposing than usual and it doesn't have the refinement either though that may well come with time in bottle. Patience strongly advised.