2011 Domaine Henri Gouges Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Vaucrains 1er Cru
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Tasting notes
The 2011 Nuits Saint-Georges Les Vaucrains 1er Cru has a more reserved bouquet than the Les Pruliers: oyster shell scents permeating the red cherries and crushed strawberry scents, just a touch of smoke with time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannin, more backward than the Les Pruliers but with a sense of energy on the finish despite its leanness. I feel that this will develop more flesh and substance with bottle age, so keep it in the locker for another four or five years. Like the Les Pruliers, this bottle shows better than the one at the Gouges retrospective. Tasted at Flint Wines Burgundy 2011 tasting.
Critic scores
Allen Meadows, Burghound
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
The 2011 Nuits Saint-Georges Les Vaucrains 1er Cru is consistent with the bottle shown at the 2011 horizontal a few weeks earlier. Reserved on the nose with those faint oyster shell scents, the palate is medium-bodied, maybe towards the lean side and just requiring more vim and vigor on the finish. Tasted at Flint Wines Burgundy 2011 tasting.
Tasted blind at the Burgundy 2011 horizontal tasting in Beaune. The Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru Les Vaucrains 2011 has a slightly reduced nose, though again underneath there lies some attractive mulberry, red plum and strawberry fruit. At the moment it feels a little smudged, though it gains clarity with aeration. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly chewy tannins. The acidity here is nicely judged and lends this sufficient freshness, the finish backward and surly at the moment, but with potential to blossom with another couple of years in bottle. Not quite as good as the Les Saint Georges '11, but still a creditable wine for the vintage.
Firm and crunchy and both rich and fresh. Substance and chew and real confidence. (JR)