2011 Domaine Henri Gouges Nuits-Saint-Georges Clos des Porrets-Saint-Georges 1er Cru

Tasted blind at the Burgundy 2011 horizontal tasting in Beaune. There is a slight mustiness on the nose of Gouges’s Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru Clos des Porrets ‘11, with plenty of sous-bois notes coming through in lieu of fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp tannins. There is a pastille-like quality on the entry with touches of spice and black pepper toward the sappy finish. It just seems to be missing a little substance on the finish. Gregory Gouges oversaw some better crus in this vintage.

Bright medium red. Liqueur-like aromas of cherry and raspberry. Sweet red fruit and spice flavors are lifted by notes of rose petal, herbs and pepper. Has the freshness and balance to give early pleasure. Finishes with lingering pepper-and-spice perfume and very good length.

Deep cherry colour. Reduced but less so than the straight NSG. Sweet cherrry underneath that. Chewy and reduced on the palate but has good density and seems likely to be fine with plenty of air. (JH)