2021 Domaine de Bellene, Nuits-Saint-Georges, Vieilles Vignes

The 2021 Nuits Saint-Georges Vieilles Vignes offers raspberry and subtle blackberry scents on the nose. While there is fruit intensity, it's not complex. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins. The 2021 is a solid NSG that just needs a little more elegance and poise on the finish.

From a 10-cl ecoSIP pouch. Transparent garnet. Firm and fresh with excellent fruit and vitality. Although this is a 2021, there is sufficient charm here and it's even quite long. Good grip but not tannic. Well done, Nicolas Potel! GV (JR)

Tasted from a 10-cl mini sample packet. Despite the pin-hole-sized leak in the aluminium foil pouch, which had arrived while I was away and so spent several days slowly leaking into the cardboard carton, the wine is remarkably fresh and à point . Not even remotely oxidised. Cherry brightness and even generosity. The tannins are sweet and curved and hold the fruit lightly, with supple ease. There is a slenderness to the wine, but it's not skinny – just subtle mouth-watering stoniness in the centre. Violets on the finish. Very pretty. (TC)