Bouchard Père & Fils : Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er cru "Les Cailles" Domaine 2021

Smoky, meaty aromas and flavors pick up a grassy mint accent alongside black currant, bilberry, earth and mineral notes. This red is powerful, with dense tannins that will need time to soften. Shows fine balance and length. Best from 2027 through 2043. 175 cases imported.

Bright cassis fruit aromas lead for this classic expression of Nuits‑Saint‑Georges, with classic notes of earth, mineral, smoke and leather. The structure is impressively dense and structured, but the lively acidity keeps everything in balance. The grapes come from nearly a hectare of vines in Les Cailles, close to premier cru Les Saint‑Georges. The wine seems more structured and dense than one would expect given its rather cool climate. This is a wine worth seeking out.

The 2021 Nuits Saint-Georges Les Cailles 1er Cru is higher-toned, verging on glossy compared to its peers with some polished new oak that I feel is masking a slight shortfall in fruit concentration. The palate has a bold entry with mainly black fruit and saturated tannins (for the vintage). It is velvety smooth but just a bit "blocky" toward the finish where I am seeking more finesse and nerve. Not bad though and it deserves a couple of years in bottle. Tasted blind at the Burgfest tasting.