- 96 points -

Thibault Liger-Belair has produced one of the tighter, more serious expression of this celebrated Premier Cru in 2018, finding texture, tannin and structure in his 74-year-old plantings. Hail halved the crop here, which may have been a bonus as far as quality as concerned, because this has real poise, balance and intensity with spice and tobacco notes and underlying minerality.

- 93 points -

This 0.4ha, domaine-owned parcel of vines on the northern edge of Nuits is located right below the premiers crus and was planted in 1962. Nearly half of the grapes were fermented as whole bunches and gently pumped over, before ageing in cask with a high proportion of new barrels. The result, however, is silky and fresh, with raspberry fruit and a floral edge. Elegant and very fine.

- 92 points -

- 91 points -

The 2017 Nuits Saint-Georges La Charmotte includes 40% whole cluster fruit. It has an expressive bouquet of wild strawberry, raspberry preserve and crushed stone aromas, impressive for a village cru. The palate is standoffish at first, but opens up with aeration, turning smooth in texture; vanilla pod and orange pith pop up on the charming, quite forward finish.

- 90 points -

Bright red-ruby. Musky, reticent aromas of mocha, leather and earth. Enters the mouth silky and subtly sweet, with its currant and blackberry fruit flavors showing a slight leathery rusticity. Finishes with ripe tannins and sneaky length--and an inviting juiciness.

- 89 points -

(a rarely seen villages that is situated on the Vosne side just beneath the 1er
Bousselots; 30% whole clusters). An intensely floral character adds breadth to the very fresh, pure, cool and restrained aromas of various red berries, earth and humus. Here too there is a lovely mouth feel to the detailed and energetic middle
weight flavors that possess excellent length and almost no rusticity. There is a hint of bitterness present though I attribute this to the recent bottling and not to under ripe tannins or excessively toasted wood. Recommended.

- 88 points -

(a rarely seen villages that is situated on the Vosne side just beneath the 1er
Bousselots). A pretty and distinctly floral nose speaks of rose petal and earthy red berry fruit liqueur aromas. There is good verve to the energetic middle weight flavors that possess a round and almost soft mid-palate yet tightens up very quickly on the firm, linear and ever-so-mildly rustic finish. Good if not truly special quality here in the context of its level.

(88-91) Points

(a little seen villages that is situated on the Vosne side just beneath the 1er Bousselots; 40% whole clusters). A relatively elegant nose offers up notes of various red berries that are liberally laced with floral, earth and spice nuances. There is very good volume to the generously proportioned mid-palate that immediately tightens up on the linear, tight and focused finish that is both austere and mildly rustic. This is also going to require a few years of cellar time to shed some structure and round out.

88-90 Points

(a rarely seen villages that is situated on the Vosne side just beneath the 1er
Bousselots). Strong reduction. There is by contrast good freshness and punch to the fleshy medium-bodied flavors that possess an appealingly textured mouth feel, all wrapped in a complex, dusty, firm and solidly structured finish. While not overtly rustic, this is definitely Nuits in basic character.

(88-90)

(aged in 40% new oak and 60% one-year-old barrels; vinified with 40% whole clusters; the soil is clay over limestone and rocks): Bright medium red. Smoky red fruits, iron and salty minerals on the nose. Smooth on entry, then richer and more horizontal than the Hautes-Côtes de Nuits wines in the mid-palate, showing a restrained sweetness but more texture and volume. Finishes supple and saline but with good grip and energy from the limestone. The first picking is always the best for whole-cluster vinification," notes Liger-Belair, who vinifies with alternating layers of whole clusters and destemmed fruit.

(88-90) POINTS

The mouth feel is once again quite fleshy and round and this impression is enhanced by the copious dry extract that buffers the moderately firm, dusty, clean and saline finish that displays sneaky good length.