Domaine Jean-Jacques Confuron - Romanée-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru 2009, Vosne-Romanée, Burgundy, France

Introduction: The apotheosis of Burgundian elegance

A Grand Cru from the famous Romanée-Saint-Vivantvineyard , vinified by one of Burgundy's most prestigious, purist wine estates in the outstanding 2009 vintage - this combination promises an absolutely top-class experience. The Domaine Jean-Jacques Confuron(often called J.J. Confuron) stands for an unmistakable style: it produces wines of intense perfume, silky texture and filigree depth, which are achieved through extreme care in the vineyard and minimal intervention in the cellar. The 2009, now on its way to maturity, promises to combine the sensual opulence of the vintage with the classic elegance of the Domaine.

Sensory description (current state, approx. 2024)

The wine is in a fascinating transitional phase. The youthful vigour is giving way to an unfolding complexity, while the grandiose structure remains intact.

Colour

• An intense, clear medium ruby red with only delicate orange-coloured reflections on the rim. The colour reveals density and youthful strength.

Nose

The bouquet is already of beguiling intensity and multi-layered sweetness. It is a firework of flavours in which the lush fruit of the vintage merges with the typical spices of the domain and the terroir.

• Lush, ripe fruit: Black cherries, plums, blackberries, ripe strawberries, a hint of cassis liqueur.

• Floral & spicy explosion: J.J. Confuron's trademark: an intense bouquet of violets, rose petals, allspice, liquorice and sandalwood.

• Romanée-Saint-Vivant-Terroir: The famous animalistic, sensual note reveals itself as a hint of fur, truffles and damp forest floor.

• Spicy foundation: Cinnamon, freshly ground pepper, a cool mint-like freshness.

Palate

On the palate, the wine is characterised by an almost perfect balance between opulent richness and bouncy lightness.

• Texture: Absolutely silky, velvety and full-bodied, but never heavy. The tannins are already as fine as icing sugar and fully integrated.

• Acidity: Wonderfully lively and fresh, it cuts through the fullness of the fruit, gives the wine its electric tension, longitudinal direction and prevents any heaviness - the sign of a great 2009.

• Flavour development: A generous, precise development of the aromas on the nose. The fruit is juicy and ripe, supported by a spicy, floral and mineral base.

• Finish: Monumentally long, complex and versatile. The aftertaste of red fruits, spices, flowers and a cool minerality can last for minutes.

Vintage & terroir

Vintage 2009 in Burgundy

• An excellent, warm and sun-drenched vintage, resulting in ripe, accessible wines with lush fruit and velvety tannins. However, the great wines always had sufficient acidity, which gives them enormous longevity. 2009s are sensual, concentrated and charming early on, but develop depth over decades.

Romanée-Saint-Vivant site (Grand Cru)

• One of the eight Grands Crus of Vosne-Romanée, known for its unrivalled elegance, fragrance and sensual complexity. Compared to the powerful Richebourg or the mystical La Tâche, the RSV is often more delicate, more perfumed and has an animalistic, truffled depth.

• Soil: Thinner, more calcareous marl soils than in the neighbouring vineyards, which contribute to this particular finesse.

The signature of Domaine J.J. Confuron

• Philosophy: Strictly organic, very low yields, late harvest for optimum physiological ripeness, long, cool maceration, maturation in only lightly used barriques (low proportion of new wood).

• The result: wines of extreme purity, intense bouquet and an almost floating texture that emphasise the elegance of the terroir.

Maturity & ageing potential

Current drinking maturity

The wine is already extraordinarily accessible and a great pleasure, but still shows plenty of youthful vigour. It is at the beginning of a long drinking window.

Development potential

• Optimal drinking window: First approximation from 2025, with a probable main window of 2028 - 2045+.

• Ageing potential:40 years or more with optimal ageing . This wine will lose its opulent fruit over time and gain even more spicy, animal and undergrowth complexity (tertiary flavours).

Rating & Recommendations

Rating: 97-99/100 points

A Grand Cru of absolute world class. It embodies the perfect symbiosis of a great vintage, one of the finest terroirs in the world and the masterful signature of a top domain. A reference.

Recommendations for enjoyment

1. Decanting: Recommended (60-90 minutes before drinking) to open up the complex flavours and further smooth out the already soft tannins. It tolerates oxygen well.

2. Serving temperature: 14-15°C.

3. Glass: A large Burgundy glass (e.g. from Gabriel-Glas or Zalto).

4. Food pairing: This wine deserves an equally sublime dish:

   • Poultry: Roast poulard or pheasant.

   • Game: Saddle of venison or fillet of venison.

   • Mushrooms: A ragout of porcini mushrooms or morels.

   • Cheese: Matured, creamy cheese such as Époisses or an old Comté.

Conclusion

The 2009 Romanée-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru from Domaine Jean-Jacques Confuron is a wine of dizzying beauty and promise. It combines the seductive, immediate charm of the 2009 vintage with the unforgettable depth, flavour and textural sophistication of a great terroir, interpreted by one of Burgundy's most iconic domains. This is not a wine giant that intimidates, but a sensual seducer that captivates. A wine that will make the heart of every Burgundy lover beat faster - both for enjoyment in the years to come and as a jewel for decades to come. An absolute must-have for the serious collector and an unforgettable experience for anyone lucky enough to open a bottle.