A bottle of Gouges' 1996 Nuits-St.-Georges Les St. Georges that had been opened for 6 hours revealed a dark ruby color as well as a blackberry and licorice-scented nose. Deep, profound, chewy, full-bodied, it possesses flavors of road tar, leather, earth, and espresso beans. A great Nuits-St.-Georges, it will require cellaring patience. It is prodigiously well-balanced, and reveals an extraordinarily long, detailed, and flavorful finish. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2012+. Importer: Vineyard Brands, Birmingham, AL; tel (205) 980-8802.