2017 Thibault Liger-Belair, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru, Les Saint-Georges

The 2017 Nuits Saint-Georges Les Saint-Georges 1er Cru has a straightforward bouquet of red cherries plus a touch of balsamic, showing fine delineation and intensity. It opens and deepens nicely in the glass, though it requires time to absorb the new oak. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and fine acidity, and quite saline and stocky on the broad-shouldered, almost Morey-like finish. Though a tad brutish at the moment, this should improve in bottle. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2017 tasting.

Served blind alongside Kusuda Pinot Noir 2020 . Both wines had the same mid-garnet colour and both developed considerably in the glass. At first, this was the more impressive wine. Rich, exciting, complete – a wine that finished dry after lots of sweet fruit. (JR)