Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru "Clos de Porrets Saint-Georges" Monopole 2011, Henri Gouges

This lieu-dit may hold the prize for the most long-winded and repetitious name in all of the Côte d'Or. The domaine owns all 3.57 hectares of the clos which was planted primarily in 1975 so the vines have a good age. The nose is appeallingly driven by berry, cherry and plum aromas. On the palate it has decent fruit but nothing impressive, thankfully no stalkiness. In the glasss it improves but it seems unstable and the style reflects the trade-off that wine-makers had to make in 2011 between phenolic maturity and sugar levels in the grape. Pick too early and there was not enough sugar. Pick too late and there was too much phenols resulting in overly tannic wines. In good vintages you don't have to compromise. Scores 19-21/30 for a Nuits Saint Georges premier cru. Photo shows some unripe pinot grapes in Nuits Saint Georges on July 29th 2011.