Henri Gouges, Nuits Saint Georges Perrieres Blanc

Henri Gouges, Nuits Saint Georges Perrieres Blanc(from white pinot noir, which is better known as Pinot Gouges; the vines were planted in 1947 the production is between 2000 and 2500 bottles). Residual hints of the malolactic fermentation, sulfur and wood are all that are discernible today. Otherwise the sleeker and more mineral driven flavors possess lovely drive on the intense, focused, linear and serious finish. Note that my rating assumes that the nose will clean up as the sulfur and wood are

focused and very long

There is excellent volume and an intense minerality to the relatively forward and lush broad-shouldered flavors that coat the palate with dry extract before culminating in an explosive balanced and strikingly long finish

this is in no danger of falling apart but I foresee the balance becoming more fragile

although both were excellent in this stretch of vintages and faithfully reflect the vintage conditions

This too is firmly reduced

crushed stone and black licorice

The full-on

with big berry fruit and lavish oak

perhaps just less of the orange blossom here but still utterly captivating

There is no reason to age this any longer

Powerful and textured

a single ancient vineyard in the village of Bellmunt that used to contribute to the blend of Les Terrasses