2016 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Romanée-St-Vivant Grand Cru
De specificaties zoals vermeld bij de wijn (o.a. wijnjaar) en in de titel zijn leidend en er kunnen geen rechten worden ontleend aan de afbeelding die wordt getoond. Lees meer in onze Frequenty asked questions
| Type of Wine | |
|---|---|
| Country | France |
| Region | |
| Appellation | |
| Winery | |
| Vintage | 2016 |
| Grape | |
| Content (Alc) | 0.75 ltr (14%) |
| Drink window | 2026 - 2060 |
Low Stock
Only 1 left
Description
The 2016 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Saint-Vivant Grand Cru is one of the most prestigious wines from Burgundy, coming from the renowned Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC). This winery, often abbreviated to DRC, is considered one of the best producers of Pinot Noir in the world. This DRC comes from the Saint-Vivant Grand Cru appellation in Vosne-Romanée. The Romanée-Saint-Vivant vineyard has a unique location with limestone-rich soils and an ideal microclimate. This terroir contributes to the refined, elegant style of the wine.
As is typical of the DRC, the yields were low, and the wine is extremely rare. In the glass, the Domaine de la Romanee-Conti St-Vivant Grand Cru is bright ruby red, with an intense and lively shine. On the nose, the wine has fragrant aromas of red fruits such as cherries and raspberries, subtle floral notes such as roses and violets, and complex nuances of spices, truffles, and a touch of earthy minerality. On the palate, the wine is elegant and refined, with a perfect balance between freshness, tannins, and acidity. The palate reveals layers of juicy red fruits, spices, and a silky texture typical of the DRC. The finish is long and harmonious, with mineral and spicy notes that linger.
The 2016 vintage has been praised for its balance and refinement. Despite the challenges of the season, the wines have a remarkable purity and concentration that reflect the potential of the DRC terroir and craftsmanship.
About Le Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
Le Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC) is a legendary French winery located in Burgundy. The wines of Le Domaine de la Romanée-Conti are a unique opportunity to invest in sublime Burgundy. The wines are very scarce and available through a very limited number of points of sale. Read more under the Tab: Winery
Specifications
| Type of Wine | Red |
|---|---|
| Country | France |
| Region | Bourgogne |
| Appellation | Vosne-Romanée |
| Icons | Icon France |
| Winery | Domaine de la Romanee-Conti |
| Grape | Pinot Noir |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2016 |
| Drinking as of | 2026 |
| Drinking till | 2060 |
| Alcohol % | 14 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 97 |
| Vinous rating | 97 |
Professional Reviews
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 95
Reviewed by:
William Kelley
Release Price:
NA
Drink Date:
2026 - 2060
The 2016 Romanée-St-Vivant Grand Cru is super, bursting from the glass with a kaleidoscopic bouquet of potpourri, red berries, cassis, peony and rose petal. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, ample and fine-boned, with tangy acids, superb concentration and an ample chassis of powdery structuring tannins, concluding with a long, fragrant finish. This is a Romanée-St-Vivant that exemplifies the intensity without the weight that distinguishes the Domaine's best wines, and it equals the fabulous 2015 rendition.
A morning spent with Aubert de Villaine provided an opportunity to taste the domaine's 2016 and 2017 vintages. From bottle, the 2016s are stunning, equalling or surpassing the profound 2015s. There is a vibrancy and weightless intensity to the wines that mark them out as very special indeed. When the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti produces a great vintage, there's nothing like it in Burgundy, and 2016 is a legitimately great vintage at this address. On the way to our tasting, we passed by the domaine's entire stock of 2016 Echézeaux and Grands-Echézeaux, bottled entirely in magnum. Those wines won't be released in early 2019: "perhaps we'll drink them, or release them later, we haven't decided", said de Villaine, pointing to a stack of bottles that would nonetheless elicit green envy in any other producer of those two appellations.
Of vintage 2017, de Villaine reported that the domaine refrained from green harvesting in the belief that the vines' natural yield is the optimal yield. The wines, he observed, are "nicely balanced but slimmer than 2015 or 2016", an analysis with which I wholeheartedly concur, and to which I venture to add that the 2017s are suppler, more open-knit and will be adapted to comparatively near-term consumption. Moreover, after several years of low yields, there will, at last, be a certain quantity of wine to slake the thirst of an adoring—and sometimes, it must be said, uncritical—public. In 2017, it's also the case that the domaine's two monopoles stand head-and-shoulders above their other appellations in terms of depth, breadth and incipient complexity, a rapport that I've attempted to reflect with my scores.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
(94-97)
From: Red Burgundy '16 & '15: Superb Vintages, Different Styles (Jan 2018)
(24 hectoliters per hectare): Dark red-ruby color. Medicinal black cherry, blackberry, violet, lavender, sandalwood and crushed rock on the nose. Then wonderfully silky and spherical in the mouth but firm as well, conveying a distinctly suave impression for all its concentration. Flavors of dark fruits, coffee, flowers and spices saturate the entire palate. In its texture and length, this sample reminded me a bit of the 2015 version--and it's more elegant and less chewy and rough than the 2016 Echézeaux or Grands-Echézeaux.
- By Stephen Tanzer on January 2018
My January tasting of 2016s from barrel and 2015s from bottle at DRC was one of the most spectacular visits of my 30 years of tasting in Burgundy. Director Aubert de Villaine chose to present his 2015s first, possibly for fear that they might be tricky to taste following the theoretically more energetic 2016s. He needn’t have worried: both sets of wines are brilliant.
Both vintages, noted de Villaine, brought fully ripe fruit, and the ‘15s have even greater phenolic ripeness than the ‘16s. “But their tannins are nourishing,” he said, “and the wines are serene despite the bottling last March." He compared 2015 to 1966 in terms of the perfect health of the vineyards, adding that the estate saw no drought effect in ’15. “I don’t remember ever having this balance of fruit and plenitude and structure in my career,” said de Villaine. “The ‘15s will bury all of us.” It’s hard to believe that such rich wines will not shut down in bottle within the next few years, possibly for an extended period, but the ‘15s showed spectacularly in January.
So did the young ‘16s, in spite of the devastating effects of frost in the estate’s Echézeaux and Grands-Echézeaux holdings, not to mention its vineyards in Batard-Montrachet and, especially, Montrachet. But production of its other red grand crus showed little or no frost losses. Owing to the very warm temperatures that began in mid-July and well-timed rainfall in mid-August and early September, the estate considered its fruit ripe by September 15. But it held off on harvesting until the 22nd for its Corton vines and the following day in Vosne-Romanée, taking advantage of the precipitation between September 16 and 18 and picking during the most favorable window, finishing on the last day of the month.
Ultimately, said de Villaine, the quality of the tannins in 2016 may be even higher than in the previous vintage. The perfectly healthy grapes required very little sorting but the estate generally destemmed about 30% to 50% of their grape clusters; in comparison, the 2015s, with the exception of the Corton, were vinified with essentially 100% whole clusters. The 2016 malos were late and the wines had not yet been racked in January. The vintage, said de Villaine, is proving to be "extremely well balanced and a delightful surprise."
During my visit, I had the chance to wish a healthy and active next phase to long-time cellarmaster Bernard Noblet, who spent 37 years at this estate in a demanding and very physical role before retiring at the end of January at the age of 62.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Exclusive Content
Sign in to unlock professional wine reviews from world-renowned critics
Wijnhuis
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (abbreviated DRC) is one of the most legendary wine estates in the world and is considered the pinnacle of Burgundian winemaking. The estate has a rich history that goes back hundreds of years and a deep connection with the traditions and terroirs of Burgundy.
Historical background of Romanée-Conti:
Early origins: The vineyards of Romanée-Conti have been cultivated since the Middle Ages. They were originally owned by monastic orders, who at that time managed many vineyards in Burgundy.
18th century: The Romanée vineyard (now Romanée-Conti) came into the hands of the Prince of Conti, Louis François de Bourbon, a nephew of Louis XV, in 1760. He added his name to the vineyard, which then became "La Romanée-Conti." The prince used the wine exclusively for his own court and guests, which contributed to its exclusive reputation.
French Revolution: During the French Revolution, the properties of the nobility, including Romanée-Conti, were confiscated. It was sold as national property.
Modern history: In 1869 the estate was purchased by the de Villaine family. Together with the Leroy family, they remain owners of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti to this day.
Domaine Romanée-Conti and its vineyards and terroirs:
Locations: DRC manages some of the most prestigious grand cru vineyards in Burgundy, including: Romanée-Conti (monopole)
- La Tâche (monopole)
- Richebourg
- Romanée-Saint-Vivant
- Grands Échézeaux
- Échézeaux
- Corton (since 2009)
- Montrachet (for the white wine)
Terroir:
The vineyards are located in Vosne-Romanée and feature a unique combination of limestone-rich soils, a mild climate, and an ideal location, resulting in wines of exceptional finesse and complexity.
Philosophy and viticulture of DRC
Hand harvest: Every grape is picked by hand to ensure quality.
Biodynamic viticulture: Since the 1980s, DRC has introduced biodynamic methods to preserve the natural balance of the vineyards.
Vinification: DRC combines traditional Burgundian techniques with modern innovations. The wines are aged in new oak barrels and mature for a long time before being released.
Why are the wines of Domaine Romanée-Conti so exclusive?
- Limited production: The total annual production of DRC is extremely low, making the wines rare and highly sought after.
- Quality over quantity: Every detail in production, from vineyard to bottle, is executed with the greatest care.
- Influence: DRC is the benchmark against which other Burgundian and even international wines are measured. The name is synonymous with luxury and perfection.
- Desirability: DRC wines are sold at auctions for record prices and are a must-have for collectors.
- Cultural icon: Over the centuries, DRC has become a symbol of elegance and refinement in the world of wine.
The 2016 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Saint-Vivant Grand Cru is one of the most prestigious wines from Burgundy, coming from the renowned Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC). This winery, often abbreviated to DRC, is considered one of the best producers of Pinot Noir in the world. This DRC comes from the Saint-Vivant Grand Cru appellation in Vosne-Romanée. The Romanée-Saint-Vivant vineyard has a unique location with limestone-rich soils and an ideal microclimate. This terroir contributes to the refined, elegant style of the wine.
As is typical of the DRC, the yields were low, and the wine is extremely rare. In the glass, the Domaine de la Romanee-Conti St-Vivant Grand Cru is bright ruby red, with an intense and lively shine. On the nose, the wine has fragrant aromas of red fruits such as cherries and raspberries, subtle floral notes such as roses and violets, and complex nuances of spices, truffles, and a touch of earthy minerality. On the palate, the wine is elegant and refined, with a perfect balance between freshness, tannins, and acidity. The palate reveals layers of juicy red fruits, spices, and a silky texture typical of the DRC. The finish is long and harmonious, with mineral and spicy notes that linger.
The 2016 vintage has been praised for its balance and refinement. Despite the challenges of the season, the wines have a remarkable purity and concentration that reflect the potential of the DRC terroir and craftsmanship.
About Le Domaine de la Romanée-Conti
Le Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC) is a legendary French winery located in Burgundy. The wines of Le Domaine de la Romanée-Conti are a unique opportunity to invest in sublime Burgundy. The wines are very scarce and available through a very limited number of points of sale. Read more under the Tab: Winery
| Type of Wine | Red |
|---|---|
| Country | France |
| Region | Bourgogne |
| Appellation | Vosne-Romanée |
| Icons | Icon France |
| Winery | Domaine de la Romanee-Conti |
| Grape | Pinot Noir |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2016 |
| Drinking as of | 2026 |
| Drinking till | 2060 |
| Alcohol % | 14 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 97 |
| Vinous rating | 97 |
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 95
Reviewed by:
William Kelley
Release Price:
NA
Drink Date:
2026 - 2060
The 2016 Romanée-St-Vivant Grand Cru is super, bursting from the glass with a kaleidoscopic bouquet of potpourri, red berries, cassis, peony and rose petal. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, ample and fine-boned, with tangy acids, superb concentration and an ample chassis of powdery structuring tannins, concluding with a long, fragrant finish. This is a Romanée-St-Vivant that exemplifies the intensity without the weight that distinguishes the Domaine's best wines, and it equals the fabulous 2015 rendition.
A morning spent with Aubert de Villaine provided an opportunity to taste the domaine's 2016 and 2017 vintages. From bottle, the 2016s are stunning, equalling or surpassing the profound 2015s. There is a vibrancy and weightless intensity to the wines that mark them out as very special indeed. When the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti produces a great vintage, there's nothing like it in Burgundy, and 2016 is a legitimately great vintage at this address. On the way to our tasting, we passed by the domaine's entire stock of 2016 Echézeaux and Grands-Echézeaux, bottled entirely in magnum. Those wines won't be released in early 2019: "perhaps we'll drink them, or release them later, we haven't decided", said de Villaine, pointing to a stack of bottles that would nonetheless elicit green envy in any other producer of those two appellations.
Of vintage 2017, de Villaine reported that the domaine refrained from green harvesting in the belief that the vines' natural yield is the optimal yield. The wines, he observed, are "nicely balanced but slimmer than 2015 or 2016", an analysis with which I wholeheartedly concur, and to which I venture to add that the 2017s are suppler, more open-knit and will be adapted to comparatively near-term consumption. Moreover, after several years of low yields, there will, at last, be a certain quantity of wine to slake the thirst of an adoring—and sometimes, it must be said, uncritical—public. In 2017, it's also the case that the domaine's two monopoles stand head-and-shoulders above their other appellations in terms of depth, breadth and incipient complexity, a rapport that I've attempted to reflect with my scores.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Vinous
(94-97)
From: Red Burgundy '16 & '15: Superb Vintages, Different Styles (Jan 2018)
(24 hectoliters per hectare): Dark red-ruby color. Medicinal black cherry, blackberry, violet, lavender, sandalwood and crushed rock on the nose. Then wonderfully silky and spherical in the mouth but firm as well, conveying a distinctly suave impression for all its concentration. Flavors of dark fruits, coffee, flowers and spices saturate the entire palate. In its texture and length, this sample reminded me a bit of the 2015 version--and it's more elegant and less chewy and rough than the 2016 Echézeaux or Grands-Echézeaux.
- By Stephen Tanzer on January 2018
My January tasting of 2016s from barrel and 2015s from bottle at DRC was one of the most spectacular visits of my 30 years of tasting in Burgundy. Director Aubert de Villaine chose to present his 2015s first, possibly for fear that they might be tricky to taste following the theoretically more energetic 2016s. He needn’t have worried: both sets of wines are brilliant.
Both vintages, noted de Villaine, brought fully ripe fruit, and the ‘15s have even greater phenolic ripeness than the ‘16s. “But their tannins are nourishing,” he said, “and the wines are serene despite the bottling last March." He compared 2015 to 1966 in terms of the perfect health of the vineyards, adding that the estate saw no drought effect in ’15. “I don’t remember ever having this balance of fruit and plenitude and structure in my career,” said de Villaine. “The ‘15s will bury all of us.” It’s hard to believe that such rich wines will not shut down in bottle within the next few years, possibly for an extended period, but the ‘15s showed spectacularly in January.
So did the young ‘16s, in spite of the devastating effects of frost in the estate’s Echézeaux and Grands-Echézeaux holdings, not to mention its vineyards in Batard-Montrachet and, especially, Montrachet. But production of its other red grand crus showed little or no frost losses. Owing to the very warm temperatures that began in mid-July and well-timed rainfall in mid-August and early September, the estate considered its fruit ripe by September 15. But it held off on harvesting until the 22nd for its Corton vines and the following day in Vosne-Romanée, taking advantage of the precipitation between September 16 and 18 and picking during the most favorable window, finishing on the last day of the month.
Ultimately, said de Villaine, the quality of the tannins in 2016 may be even higher than in the previous vintage. The perfectly healthy grapes required very little sorting but the estate generally destemmed about 30% to 50% of their grape clusters; in comparison, the 2015s, with the exception of the Corton, were vinified with essentially 100% whole clusters. The 2016 malos were late and the wines had not yet been racked in January. The vintage, said de Villaine, is proving to be "extremely well balanced and a delightful surprise."
During my visit, I had the chance to wish a healthy and active next phase to long-time cellarmaster Bernard Noblet, who spent 37 years at this estate in a demanding and very physical role before retiring at the end of January at the age of 62.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Exclusive Content
Sign in to unlock professional wine reviews from world-renowned critics
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (abbreviated DRC) is one of the most legendary wine estates in the world and is considered the pinnacle of Burgundian winemaking. The estate has a rich history that goes back hundreds of years and a deep connection with the traditions and terroirs of Burgundy.
Historical background of Romanée-Conti:
Early origins: The vineyards of Romanée-Conti have been cultivated since the Middle Ages. They were originally owned by monastic orders, who at that time managed many vineyards in Burgundy.
18th century: The Romanée vineyard (now Romanée-Conti) came into the hands of the Prince of Conti, Louis François de Bourbon, a nephew of Louis XV, in 1760. He added his name to the vineyard, which then became "La Romanée-Conti." The prince used the wine exclusively for his own court and guests, which contributed to its exclusive reputation.
French Revolution: During the French Revolution, the properties of the nobility, including Romanée-Conti, were confiscated. It was sold as national property.
Modern history: In 1869 the estate was purchased by the de Villaine family. Together with the Leroy family, they remain owners of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti to this day.
Domaine Romanée-Conti and its vineyards and terroirs:
Locations: DRC manages some of the most prestigious grand cru vineyards in Burgundy, including: Romanée-Conti (monopole)
- La Tâche (monopole)
- Richebourg
- Romanée-Saint-Vivant
- Grands Échézeaux
- Échézeaux
- Corton (since 2009)
- Montrachet (for the white wine)
Terroir:
The vineyards are located in Vosne-Romanée and feature a unique combination of limestone-rich soils, a mild climate, and an ideal location, resulting in wines of exceptional finesse and complexity.
Philosophy and viticulture of DRC
Hand harvest: Every grape is picked by hand to ensure quality.
Biodynamic viticulture: Since the 1980s, DRC has introduced biodynamic methods to preserve the natural balance of the vineyards.
Vinification: DRC combines traditional Burgundian techniques with modern innovations. The wines are aged in new oak barrels and mature for a long time before being released.
Why are the wines of Domaine Romanée-Conti so exclusive?
- Limited production: The total annual production of DRC is extremely low, making the wines rare and highly sought after.
- Quality over quantity: Every detail in production, from vineyard to bottle, is executed with the greatest care.
- Influence: DRC is the benchmark against which other Burgundian and even international wines are measured. The name is synonymous with luxury and perfection.
- Desirability: DRC wines are sold at auctions for record prices and are a must-have for collectors.
- Cultural icon: Over the centuries, DRC has become a symbol of elegance and refinement in the world of wine.