2015 Nuits St Georges Les Hauts Poirets
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Tasting notes
Moderately saturated bright red-ruby. Aromas of black raspberry, licorice and spicy oak are lifted by a floral topnote. A step up in richness and depth from the Côte de Nuits-Villages, and as much red fruit as black in character, showing lovely calcaire purity and lift (this steep vineyard is situated just above a quarry). This highly concentrated wine finishes with substantial dusty tannins and very good sappy persistence. A seriously structured village wine with aging potential.
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Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
(the malolactic fermentation finished in August; from 60-year-old vines): Bright, dark ruby-red. Very pure, vibrant aromas of kirsch , blackberry, licorice and cocoa powder. Strongly mineral-driven on the palate but not aggressive, with concentrated dark fruit and saline flavors complemented but not overshadowed by the 100% oak. Finishes with fine-grained tannins and lovely floral persistence. Gilles Jayer told me that this climat on thin soil over rock belongs entirely to him and to Domaine Machard de Gramont and really merits premier cru classification. My notes and scores on this cuvée over the past 15 to 20 years suggest that he's right.
Firm reduction renders the nose impossible to assess today. By contrast there is good freshness and punch to the very rich and mouth coating flavors that deliver solid depth and length on the moderately rustic finale. This is sufficiently structured to warrant allowing it 6 to 8 years of cellaring.