2017 Nuits St Georges Les Argillas

Spicy, chalk and floral aromas, as well as cherries and strawberries. Medium-bodied with firm and silky tannins, but then a wild and vivid finish of stones and berries. Gorgeous. Drink or hold.

Barrel sample. 2008 onwards. Very little clay. Hard Comblanchiens limestone. 12,000 vines per ha. Vines 65–70 years old. Hard limestone gives chalky effect and soft limestone more rounded, suggests Pacalet, adding that Italians like to drink this wine young with prawns! Light aroma of red fruits, delicate on the nose. A little smoky on the palate and that dry, chalky tannin texture, even a little salty on the finish. That smokiness gives a more savoury finish. Good length. (JH)