Domaine Henri Gouges Nuits-Saint-Georges Clos des Porrets 1er Cru 2021

A monopoly on the estate, Le Clos des Porrets Saint-Georges offers a pulpy fruit of cherry and blood orange: its denser flesh combines freshness and nervousness, in a very accomplished and full of tone.

Bottled yesterday! A vibrant fresh mid purple. Lots of energy too on the nose. Perhaps seems a little richer after yesterday’s bottling, which may have slightly muddied the waters - but this is clearly a good wine with plenty of dark red fruit and a good thread of acidity. The tannins are gentle.

The 2021 Nuits Saint-Georges Clos des Porrets-Saint-Georges 1er Cru has a very pure and focused bouquet with red cherries, crushed strawberry, subtle floral elements and a touch of sea spray. This is complex in the context of the growing season. The palate is medium-bodied with finely-chiselled tannins, a hint of dark chocolate combining neatly with the mulberry fruit on the finish. Nice tingle on the tongue after the wine has departed. Sublime.

Background hints of wood are present on the brooding and much more sauvage-inflected aromas of plum and dark currant. The supple and delicious medium weight flavours possess better volume as well as mid-palate density, all wrapped in a youthfully austere and moderately rustic finish that is shaped by firm tannins. This decidedly powerful effort is excellent and much more Nuits in style. Outstanding.

This wine is a Nuits-St-Georges premier cru as one imagines it to be, with all its slightly rustic austerity, perhaps even a hint of volatile acidity. The fruit is dark plum and blackberry with a pronounced earthy edge, a bit of leather and smoke, and a savoury edge. The texture features fresh acidity and plenty of tannic grip. The wine is made from the 3.6-hectare monopole south of the village in the lieu-dit Les Poirets, which is divided into two climats; the Clos des Porrets St-Georges is a monopole of the domaine planted with very old vines.