2018 Henri Gouges Nuits-St-Georges

From 9 plots in the south and centre. In bottle. This shows the typical deep purple of the vintage, with a lovely flowing ripe fruit, ripe dark cherries and plums, but well short of mulberries. The style of the vintage but nicely managed and the tannins at the back retain a freshness. Very long finish. 89-91 points

The 2018 Nuits Saint-Georges Village, which was already bottled and comes from several different plots in the south of the appellation, offers pretty red cherry, crushed strawberry and bergamot scents. The palate is sweet and fleshy on the entry with fine acidity, and the slightly monotone finish needs more complexity. 86 points

The Nuits AC from 2018 chez Gouges is a bit lower in octane than the Bourgogne, coming in at a very reasonable (by 2018 standards in Nuits St. Georges) of 13.8 percent and offering up excellent focus and soil signature to go along with beautiful fruit tones. The nose wafts from the glass in a mix of sweet dark berries, espresso, black plums, a touch of new leather, a fine base of soil, gamebird and a smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is pure, fullbodied and quite energetic and powerful on the backend, with a fine core of fruit, ripe, well integrated tannins and excellent length and grip on the soil-driven finish. This will need a good decade to start to blossom, but it is a fine example. Drink 2028-2060+. 90+ points

A very ripe nose blends notes of poached plum, dark currant and plenty of sauvage character. There is slightly better volume and mid-palate density to the velvety and round flavors that also terminate in a mildly warm finish that is sufficiently chewy and rustic to cut the finish somewhat short. 87 points

Mid cherry red. Lifted, scented and inviting. So fragrant. Dry, peppery, more savoury on the palate. Lovey freshness and purity. Open but should age very well. Moreish, harmonious. 16.5+ points