2022 Domaine Sylvain Cathiard Romanee Saint Vivant Grand Cru

Sylvain Cathiard built a fearsome reputation through the 1990's and early 2000's for producing some of the greatest wines of Burgundy. His ability to marry fragrant and perfectly ripe grapes with expertly chosen new oak set the standard at the time. While the wines were more approachable than his peers, they also had the requisite components to age and evolve gloriously for many years. Now under the stewardship of his son Sebastien, the wines have gained even more acclaim and are equally as well built for an envious evolution in the cellar.

Cathiard's plot of Romanee Saint Vivant is the smallest of the ten current owners with their 0.1673 ha of vines planted 1919. In a good year they are able to produce only three barrels of wine, however often it's much less meaning this is one of the rarest and most coveted wines of Burgundy.

Other Reviews....
A reticent if beautifully complex nose blends notes of various spice elements with those of floral, red currant, plum and a hint of exotic tea. The sleek, intense and wonderfully textured medium weight flavors possess outstanding drive and unusually good power on the firm, youthfully austere and quite serious finish that possesses stunningly good depth and persistence. This is exceptionally stylish and classy and a wine that should age accordingly. Drink through 2037+.
94-96 points
Allen Meadows - Burghound

The 2022 Romanée-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru unwinds in the glass with aromas of plums, berries, smoked duck, spices and vanilla pod, followed by a full-bodied, ample and muscular palate, its broad and fleshy core of fruit framed by powdery tannins and lively acids, concluding with a saline finish. This is a powerful wine from Cathiard that will surely benefit from its second winter in barrel.
93-95 points
William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Jan 19, 2024)

The 2022 Romanée-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru comprises three barrels this year, two of them new from the Raymond cooperage. There is amazing transparency on the nose and stunning delineation, with riveting mineralité behind the red fruit. You could inhale this forever. The palate is medium-bodied, armed with a cashmere texture, filigree tannins and gorgeous black cherries mixed with white pepper and allspice towards the long finish. Very sensual and extraordinarily pure, this is a brilliant RSV. Drink 2028-2055.
96-98 points
Neal Martin - Vinous

A glowing fresh purple. The bouquet of the Romanée St-Vivant always takes more teasing out than the flamboyant Malconsorts. It is just in the intensity of the fruit in the mouth and the refinement of the finish. Less immediate than the Malconsorts, indeed with much more in reserve, but the quality of the finish shows that all will arrive in due course. Drink from 2032.
96-98 points
Jasper Morris MW - Inside Burgundy