1948 Romanée Saint Vivant Grand Cru Charles Noëllat

1948 Romanée Saint-Vivant Grand Cru – Charles Noëllat

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The 1948 Romanée Saint-Vivant Grand Cru from Charles Noëllat is a rare and remarkable expression of this esteemed Burgundian terroir. Produced in a post-war vintage marked by resilience and unpredictability, this wine is a testament to the enduring quality of one of Burgundy’s most legendary domaines. The Romanée Saint-Vivant vineyard, adjacent to the famed Romanée-Conti, is revered for its ability to produce Pinot Noir of exceptional elegance, complexity, and longevity.

The 1948 Vintage

The 1948 growing season in Burgundy was challenging, defined by variable weather conditions. A cool and wet spring led to concerns about flowering, while a dry summer helped concentrate flavors in the grapes. A late harvest allowed the fruit to achieve optimal ripeness, but yields were low, and the wines required extended cellaring to reveal their true potential. Today, well-preserved bottles from this vintage are a rare treasure, offering an extraordinary glimpse into the longevity of great Burgundy.

Tasting Notes

Appearance:

Despite its age, the wine retains a luminous garnet core, with a fading brick-orange rim that speaks to its remarkable evolution. The clarity remains impressive, hinting at the meticulous care taken in both vinification and cellaring.

Nose:

A deeply evocative bouquet unfolds with layers of dried rose petals, black tea, and forest floor. Tertiary notes of leather, truffle, and aged tobacco emerge, underscored by a whisper of dried red fruits—cranberry, cherry, and fig. Subtle hints of Asian spice and worn cedar add further intrigue, making each swirl of the glass a journey through time.

Palate:

The 1948 Romanée Saint-Vivant offers a remarkably silky texture, with tannins that have softened into an ethereal finesse. The acidity, though delicate, provides a graceful backbone, ensuring the wine’s structure remains intact. Flavors of dried cherries, sous-bois, and spiced orange peel are intertwined with nuances of earth, old mahogany, and a lingering umami richness. The finish is hauntingly long, echoing with echoes of black truffle, exotic spice, and faded violets.

Legacy of Charles Noëllat & Romanée Saint-Vivant

Charles Noëllat was one of Burgundy’s most esteemed vignerons, producing wines of profound depth and aging potential. His meticulous approach to vineyard management and traditional winemaking techniques resulted in wines that, decades later, remain legendary among collectors. Following the domaine’s acquisition by Domaine Leroy in the 1980s, Noëllat’s wines have become even more prized, representing a lost era of Burgundian craftsmanship.

Romanée Saint-Vivant, with its ancient monastic origins and exceptional terroir, is a vineyard that epitomizes refinement and sensuality in Burgundy. The interplay of limestone-rich soils and ideal microclimate produces Pinot Noir with unparalleled aromatic complexity and longevity.

A 1948 Romanée Saint-Vivant Grand Cru from Charles Noëllat is not just a wine—it is a historical artifact, a testament to the resilience of Burgundy, and an exquisite experience for those fortunate enough to uncork such a rarity.