2022, Domaine Henri Gouges, NUITS-SAINT-GEORGES, 1er Cru, 'Les Pruliers'

The 2022 Nuits Saint-Georges Les Pruliers 1er Cru was cropped at 22hL/ha due to the hail and matured in 25% new oak. It is quite concentrated on the nose with dense red fruit, although it lacks the amplitude of Gouges's other cuvées, I suspect hail denuded complexity. The palate is well-balanced with a rounded texture, no hard edges here. It is smooth and quite sensual, with liquorice tinge and mainly black fruit towards the finish. Afford it 4-5 years in bottle, but don't set expectations to "max," and you'll enjoy this wine. 91-93 Neal Martin, Vinous (2023).