2014 Taupenot-Merme Nuits-St-Georges Pruliers

The 2014 Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru Les Pruliers has a timid nose at first, one that demands encouragement from the glass. Then the brambly red berry fruit is joined by woodland scents and autumn leaves -- it begins to "grow" in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannin and good acidity, quite structured and firm in the mouth with black pepper and sage lining the finish. Broody at the moment, but this Les Pruliers should blossom into a lovely Nuits Saint Georges. 90-92 points

It required aggressive swirling to coax the floral-infused ripe dark berry fruit, spice and pungent earth aromas to reveal themselves. There is a distinctly sauvage character to the rich, intense, detailed and vibrant big-bodied flavors that possess a supple mid-palate and then tighten up significantly on the serious, muscular and impressively complex finale that delivers excellent length. This is terrific and also well-worth considering. 90-93 points

Les Pruliers is well located ne xt to Les St Georges, but tends to produce wines with more granular tannins. This is plush and attractive, more Vosne than Nuits in terms of fruit sweetness and structure, with attractive oak and blackberry and red berry fruit. Drink 2018-27. 95 points