Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Romanee St. Vivant 2006

Very rich nose, with lots of life and bounce. Solid and very long on the finish. Showing a touch of presently unintegrated wood, but I have no doubt that the wine will absorb it. Seems to have just a touch more alcohol than the previous two wines. Less exuberant than this vineyard sometimes is, and a bit more Richebourg-like, which is not necessarily a bad thing, after all. Again, supple and integrated. Very lovely. Opens to show more fat and suppleness after about ½ hour in the glass. This is more elegant still but equally restrained as the almost discreet nose runs toward the plum and blue berry side of the fruit spectrum. The floral-infused, structured and very serious flavors culminate in a youthfully austere finish offering huge depth and length with both precision and linearity though there is a trace of dryness to the underlying tannins, which presently compromises the balance just enough where this is not quite at the same level as the very best in the range.