Hudelot-Noëllat
Romanée-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru
Romanée-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru
2018
Vintage
Varietal
Pinot Noir
ABV
Where it is, June 2026
At Peak: in the heart of its drinking window (2021-2041).
In 2026, the Hudelot-Noellat Romanee-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru 2018 is six years into its peak drinking window with 15 years of prime drinking remaining through 2041. At well-established mid-peak in 2026, this is the wine at one of its most compelling stages: the 2018's generous ripeness and rock-solid concentration are fully present and expressive, while the secondary aromatic complexity of the Romanee-Saint-Vivant terroir has begun to emerge alongside the primary fruit. The nobility that defines the finest RSV expressions at maturity is in 2026 a fully realized quality, the wine carrying its concentration with the effortless grace that distinguishes this terroir even in its richest years. The mineral character of the RSV has deepened from the initial bright, clean expression of youth to something more complex and layered. In 2026 this is fundamentally a more concentrated, fuller-bodied expression of Romanee-Saint-Vivant than the 2021 vintage of the same cuvee, the warmth and generosity of 2018 providing greater structure and palate presence while the terroir's characteristic refinement prevents it from tipping into heaviness. Fifteen years of prime drinking remain for those who choose to wait.
The ‘18 Romanée-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru.
The 2018 Hudelot-Noellat Romanee-Saint-Vivant is a wine of regal concentration and deep mineral nobility, combining the fullness and succulence of a warm vintage with the RSV terroir's characteristic gossamer refinement in a supremely balanced, long-aging expression.
Drinking window
Tasting note
The 2018 Hudelot-Noellat Romanee-Saint-Vivant Grand Cru opens with a bouquet that immediately communicates both the regal character of the wine and the extraordinary quality of its terroir, the aromatics rich and deep without losing the gossamer elegance that distinguishes RSV from any other Grand Cru site in Burgundy. The nose offers beautifully succulent dark fruit at its core, a ripe and generous berry depth that reflects the 2018 vintage's warm season and exceptional physiological ripeness, carried with a vibrant energy and precision that the RSV terroir's naturally high mineral structure always imparts. A quality of aromatic nobility pervades the nose, a combination of rich fruit, deep mineral, and the distinctive RSV aromatic complexity of floral and mineral dimensions in perfect proportion. The "feeling of nobility" that distinguishes the greatest Romanee-Saint-Vivant from all other Burgundy is present here in full measure. On the palate the wine is full-bodied and deeply concentrated, the 2018's rock-solid concentration providing a palate presence and structural depth that demands respect while the exquisitely refined tannins prevent it from ever tipping into heaviness or fatigue. The mineral character is deep and pervasive, an iron-inflected quality that speaks to the RSV terroir's distinctive subsoil composition. The finish is long and expansive, ending in a persistent resonance of fruit, mineral, and floral complexity.
The 2018 vintage
The 2018 Cote de Nuits vintage is among the warmest of the modern era, producing Burgundy's most concentrated and generously proportioned wines since 2009. A hot, dry summer drove exceptional physiological ripeness, and the harvest came in with concentrated, ripe fruit of extraordinary depth and extraction potential. Wine Spectator awarded the 2018 Cote de Nuits Red a score of 93, Outstanding, recognizing the vintage's exceptional concentration and structural depth while noting the balance and precision that prevented the warmth from producing overripe or heavy wines. For Romanee-Saint-Vivant specifically, whose deep, well-drained soils modulate the summer heat more effectively than shallower sites, 2018 produced wines of extraordinary concentration that retained the terroir's characteristic gossamer refinement, a combination that gives the finest 2018 RSV expressions an exceptional cellaring trajectory distinct from the more linearly structured 2021.
About Hudelot-Noëllat
Domaine Hudelot-Noellat is among the most consistent and celebrated small estates in Vosne-Romanee, known for producing some of the most faithful and expressive interpretations of the village's celebrated Grand Cru terroirs including Romanee-Saint-Vivant, Richebourg, and Clos de Vougeot. Winemaker Alain Hudelot and the estate's team practice a vinification philosophy centered on expressing the distinct character of each site through careful attention to fermentation temperature, measured extraction, and aging in French oak with new-oak percentages calibrated to the individual appellation's weight and texture. The 2018 Romanee-Saint-Vivant reflects the estate's commitment to preserving the terroir's characteristic refinement even in the warmest vintages, using moderate new-oak percentages to allow the wine's mineral character to speak over any wood influence.
From the cellar: pair with
Whole roasted rack of veal with truffle butter and green beans
The 2018's rock-solid concentration and regal palate presence match the richness of roasted veal; truffle butter resonates with the RSV terroir's mineral complexity and the wine's iron-inflected depth.
Braised venison with juniper berry sauce and celery root puree
The full-bodied concentration and deep mineral character of the 2018 RSV stand up beautifully to the gamey intensity of venison; juniper echoes the aromatic spice complexity of the wine's mid-palate.
Burgundy-style oeufs en meurette with lardon and wild mushrooms
A classic regional pairing that emphasizes the Burgundian character of the wine; the earthy depth of mushrooms and the richness of the braised egg yolk bridge the RSV's mineral depth and generous fruit.
Service & cellaring
- Serving Temp
- 61-64F (16-18C)
- Decanting
- Decant 90 minutes to 2 hours. At mid-peak in 2026, the 2018 Hudelot RSV's rock-solid concentration and richer structure benefit from extended aeration compared with the more delicate 2021 vintage. Two hours in a medium-bodied decanter allows the full range of aromatic complexity and the concentrated palate weight to open into the gossamer elegance that defines great RSV at its best.
- Cellar Storage
- 55F (13C), 60-70% humidity, bottle on its side.
The drinking window on this bottle is calculated with the Cellared Ageability Index (CAI) v1.0, a 10-factor model. Try the free drinking window calculator on any wine, or read when to drink wine for the practical signals.
More from Vosne-Romanée, Côte de Nuits, Burgundy
Frequently Asked
When is the best time to drink the Hudelot-Noellat Romanee-Saint-Vivant 2018?
Six years into peak in 2026 with 15 years remaining through 2041, the wine is at well-established mid-peak. It is drinking beautifully now, showing the 2018's generous concentration fully expressed with the RSV terroir's characteristic gossamer refinement. Those who prefer peak secondary complexity should hold through 2030 to 2037. See the [Burgundy region guide](/wines/region/burgundy) for context on the 2018 vintage.
How does the 2018 vintage compare to the 2021 for this wine?
The 2018 and 2021 Hudelot-Noellat Romanee-Saint-Vivant are stylistically very different wines from the same vineyard and producer. The 2018, from a warm, generous season, carries greater concentration, fuller body, and rock-solid structure, a richer, more imposing expression of the RSV terroir. The 2021, from a cooler, more aromatic year, is lighter-bodied, more linearly precise, and more immediately perfumed. Both are compelling; the 2018 is for those who prefer power and concentration, the 2021 for those who favor aromatic transparency.
Should I decant this wine?
Yes, 90 minutes to 2 hours. The 2018's rock-solid concentration and richer structure benefit from extended aeration compared with more delicate vintages of the same wine. Two hours in a decanter allows the full aromatic complexity to open, the concentrated palate weight to integrate, and the wine to show the gossamer elegance underneath the richness that defines great Romanee-Saint-Vivant.
How long can the 2018 Hudelot RSV be cellared?
Through 2041, with hard decline beginning around 2050. With 15 years of prime drinking remaining in 2026, this is a wine of exceptional long-term potential. The 2018's concentrated structure and the RSV terroir's deep mineral backbone give it the architecture to develop extraordinary complexity through the 2030s and into the 2040s. See the [Pinot Noir varietal guide](/wines/varietal/pinot-noir).
What is the significance of Romanee-Saint-Vivant as a vineyard?
Romanee-Saint-Vivant is one of the six Grand Crus clustered in the heart of Vosne-Romanee, immediately adjacent to Romanee-Conti and La Romanee, making it one of the most celebrated vineyard sites in the world. Its deep, ancient soils produce wines of distinctive gossamer elegance and aromatic perfume, qualities that make the finest RSV expressions among the most sought-after bottles in Burgundy. At 9.4 hectares it is the largest of the six central Vosne-Romanee Grand Crus, spread among multiple producers including the Domaine de la Romanee-Conti.