2013 Romanée-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru

This is a gorgeous set of wines from Cathiard. Readers will find energy, delineation and tons of site specific nuance in these striking, absolutely delicious wines. Harvest started on September 28, with levels of phenolic ripeness that were lower than what was achieved in 2012 or 2011. Yields were down around 30%. According to Sébastien Cathiard, the key to the vintage was softer extractions. Indeed, Cathiard opted to give his wines slightly more time on the skins, but with gentler extractions that favored pump overs over punch downs. New oak is also down to around 50% for most wines, although the Clos de l'Orme. Aux Thorey and Malconsorts see a bit more. The flagship Suchots and RSV are aged in 100% new oak barrels. At the time of this tasting, none of the 2013s had been racked. Bottling was scheduled for April 2015.