How do the history, terroir, and multi-ownership structure of Romanée-St-Vivant Grand Cru influence its wine style?
History: From the Abbey of Saint-Vivant to the Château's acquisition
The history of Romanée-Saint-Vivant dates back to the 11th century. As early as 1131, the Duke of Burgundy donated the land to the monks of the Abbaye de Saint-Vivant, who subsequently cultivated the area and planted vines. RSV takes its name from this abbey.
The fate of this land took a significant turn during the French Revolution. In 1791, the abbey's assets were confiscated and sold, and Nicolas-Joseph Marey of Nuits-Saint-Georges purchased nearly all of the RSV land at public auction. Although the Marey-Monge family held a large portion of the RSV land for a long time and continued to expand its territory, it never became a true monopoly, as some parcels (such as "Vigne a Jehan Roy du Rouvres") were never owned by them.
Subsequently, the Grand Cru vineyard began to be divided. In 1898, the Marey-Monge family sold a portion of the land to the Louis Latour family. The most crucial step came in 1966, when the descendants of the Marey-Monge family placed the remaining 5.28 hectares (approximately 60% of the total area) on a long-term lease to Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC). Finally, in 1988, DRC invested heavily, including selling some assets in Echézeaux and the village vineyard, to officially acquire this core parcel, becoming the largest owner of the vineyard. This acquisition firmly established DRC RSV's leading position in the market. RSV was officially designated a Grand Cru on September 11, 1936.
Terroir: The Secret of Delicate Elegance and a Comparison of Styles
Romanée-Saint-Vivant is located in the village of Vosne-Romanée, in the heart of Burgundy’s wine region, near Romanée-Conti and Richebourg. The vineyard covers a total area of approximately 9.44 hectares.
Unique Soil Structure : RSV's most striking terroir characteristic is its high clay content. Unlike the limestone-dominated vineyards on higher slopes, RSV's more gently sloping soils are thicker (approximately 90 cm deep, compared to the 60 cm of Romanée-Conti). This clay layer effectively retains water, keeping the soil cool and allowing the Pinot Noir grapes to ripen slowly, developing exceptional freshness and acidity.
Wine Style : RSV wines are renowned for their refinement, finesse , and elegance . Often described as the "ethereal" Burgundian equivalent, RSV wines prioritize aroma over power. In their youth, RSV offers aromas of fresh raspberry, cherry, violet, and spice; with age, RSV develops complex notes of truffle, leather, and earth.
Comparison with its Grand Cru neighbors : DRC owner Aubert de Villaine considers RSV to be the epitome of refinement and elegance. In contrast, its neighbor, Richebourg, is considered more "chassy," with firmer, minerally tannins, richer fruit, and a darker hue. Despite these differences in style, RSV's recent performance has positioned it to compete with Richebourg for the top spot in Burgundy. At a tasting of RSV and Richebourg, participants were almost evenly split, with 13 preferring Richebourg, 10 RSV, and 12 believing it depends on the winemaker and vintage.
Ownership Structure: A Variety of Styles Under the Shining Stars
A key feature of the Romanée-St-Vivant Grand Cru is its multi-ownership structure, currently shared by more than a dozen top producers, rather than the exclusive ownership structures of Romanée-Conti, La Tâche, and La Grande Rue. This structure fosters a rich diversity of wine styles and fierce competition, allowing collectors to savor the finest expressions of diverse winemaking philosophies within the same terroir.
Distribution of major owners (by area) :
- Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC) : 5.28 hectares (largest owner).
- Domaine Leroy : 0.99 hectares (second largest owner).
- Louis Latour : 0.80 hectares.
- Jean-Jacques Confuron (JJ Confuron) : 0.50 hectares.
- Domaine Hudelot-Noëllat (Hudelot-Noëllat) : 0.48 hectares.
- Domaine Arnoux-Lachaux : 0.35 hectares.
- Domaine Sylvain Cathiard (Catia) : 0.17 hectares.
- Domaine Dujac : 0.17 hectares.
The influence of the winemaker : In the RSV quality triangle (terroir, vintage, winemaker), the influence of the winemaker (vigneron) is considered to be crucial.
- DRC's Stylistic Evolution : Despite possessing prime RSV plots, DRC's early years weren't always perfect. However, since 1999, the quality of DRC's RSV has significantly improved. The winery even sells grapes that don't meet quality standards (for example, due to excessive clay content or young vines) to négociants, with an estimated 1.5 hectares discarded annually, demonstrating its commitment to the ultimate in quality. DRC's RSV is renowned for its purity, elegance, finesse, and depth of flavor.
- Leroy's legendary status : Domaine Leroy's RSV boasts nearly one hectare of old vines (planted in 1924). Leroy's wines are renowned for their remarkable richness, generosity, and quality that transcends vintage limitations. In early comparison tastings, such as those of the 1993 and 1990 vintages, Leroy's RSV was considered to have completely surpassed the DRC versions of the same vintages. Leroy RSV has become one of the most valuable Burgundy wines after the DRC's exclusive vineyards.
- The value and style of other renowned winemakers : Due to the prohibitive prices of DRC and Leroy, other producers offer a shortcut to appreciating the RSV terroir. For example, JJ Confuron, whose vineyards are located adjacent to Leroy and DRC, has earned a reputation for its classic style, meticulous purity, and relatively accessible price. Furthermore, Sylvain Cathiard's RSV has earned a high reputation among connoisseurs for its exotic spices and rich, complex wines, even surpassing the DRC versions in some vintages.
Collectible Value: RSV Market Potential and Investment Returns
Romanée Saint-Vivard is more than just a fine wine; it's also a highly attractive investment. RSV, in particular, from the legendary winery DRC, has proven its value as a liquid asset through its strong market performance.
Outstanding Returns : According to data from Liv-ex, a UK wine trading platform, DRC Romanée-St-Vivant has achieved a total return of 68.4% over the past decade for vintages that have been on the market for at least five years, equivalent to an average annual return of 11.0% . At the market peak (as of mid-2022), the average annual return reached as high as 25.5%. Over the long term, RSV's returns have significantly outperformed the global stock market (the MSCI World Index has averaged an annual return of approximately 6.3% over the past 20 years).
Relative Value and Investment Opportunity : Among DRC's nine top wines, RSV is generally considered a relatively cost-effective option, especially compared to the exclusive vineyards of Romanée-Conti and La Tâche. Based on the international average price, DRC Romanée-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru is priced at approximately HK$14,621 (using the approximate exchange rate of 1 RMB ≈ 1.08 HKD). While this price is still quite high, compared to DRC Richebourg (approximately HK$18,180) and La Tâche (approximately HK$29,927), RSV offers a more reasonable entry point into DRC's top Grand Cru collection.
Vintage Selection : RSV has excellent aging potential, with excellent vintages capable of aging for two to three decades, or even longer. For example, the 2010 (average score of 96.3 points) and 2005 (average score of 96.0 points) DRC RSV are both recognized classics. Even the relatively young 2019 vintage has an average score of 97.3 points. Owner Aubert de Villain even called the 2015 vintage one of the best of his career, arguing that drinking DRC RSV young, with its combination of structure, purity, and hedonism, is "not a crime at all."
Romanée-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru, with its rich history, delicate clay-rich terroir, and the dedicated efforts of top winemakers like DRC, Leroy, and Cathiard, has firmly established itself among the top Grand Crus of Burgundy. For collectors, RSV not only represents the most refined and complex expression of Pinot Noir, but also offers a stable and high-return investment opportunity. Whether you seek the ultimate drinking experience or are focused on long-term value growth, RSV is an indispensable treasure in your Burgundy collection.
Hongkang Trading Company : Your Professional Recycling Partner for Top-Quality Liquor
At Hong Kang Trading, we specialize in the recycling and valuation of top-tier wines. Whether your Romanée-Saint-Vivant is from DRC, Leroy, or another prestigious estate, we understand its rarity and value. Market prices fluctuate constantly, and timely, professional appraisals are crucial to ensuring your collection receives the highest value it deserves.
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