The 2016 Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru Les Saint Georges was cropped at just 12 hectoliters per hectare this vintage. Like the Les Vaucrains, I just felt that the aromatics were a tad subdued compared to Les Pruliers or Les Porrets. It is nicely defined but I would like more vigor. The palate is medium-bodied with chalky tannin, here the brightness and energy belatedly beginning to shine and it shows fine tension and elegance toward the finish. It is not the greatest Les Saint-Georges that Gouges will ever make, but it comes good at the end.

Tasted blind at the Burgfest tasting in Beaune, the 2013 Nuits Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Saints-Georges was very reduced on the nose, depriving this of adequate terroir expression. The palate is simple, easy-going with clean sappy fruit (red cherries and soy-tinged strawberry) although it is missing a little depth towards the finish. I wonder if this will put on weight with age [Post-script: this was written prior to the identity being revealed. Gouges' wines do indeed tend to gain substance with bottle maturation.] If it does, it will turn into a very satisfying Nuits Saint-Georges. Tasted September 2016.