2009 Domaine Henri Gouges, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru, Les Vaucrains

A notably ripe and quite densely fruited nose offers up notes of plum, cassis, earth and the classic sauvage character of a classic Vaucrains. The rich, powerful, concentrated and serious broad-shouldered flavors brim with dry extract that confers a textured mouth feel to the chewy, balanced and hugely long finish. This will need 12 to 15 years of cellar time.Drink: 2021+
-Burghound.com, Issue 45. Tasted: Jan 10, 2012

Good full red. Aromas of dark berries, black cherry, licorice, menthol and flowers; this smells austere. Then juicy, tightly wound, intense and penetrating, offering hints of redcurrant, dried flowers and leather. Not at all a chocolatey style of Vaucrains. Finishes with a sexy carnal quality and a strong spice character; extended aeration brought a note of blackberry liqueur. Gregory Gouges says you can forget this wine and the Les Saint-Georges for 12 to 15 years.

The 2009 Nuits St. Georges Les Vaucrains comes across as quite understated and reserved. It possesses lovely freshness and an understated, classy personality that hasn't fully come together in bottle. The wine's energy, verve and deep finish all bode very well for the future. This is a terrific showing from Gouges.

Bright crimson. Solid and pruney and very much appeals to old timers. Crammed with fruit – rather (even) more open than the Pruliers. Thick and sweet and worth thinking of. (JR)