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B-21 Top Recommendation
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"Across the board, these were some of the most perfumed, delineated wines we've tasted yet this year, and the structural and textural finesse are almost unbelievable for Nuits-St-Georges." - Andrew Kitz, B-21 Burgundy Buyer
Our visit to Domaine Henri Gouges earlier this year was revelatory in more ways than one. First, it showed us some of the best 2023 reds we've come across, indicating that, at the top end, this is a super-classic vintage for Burgundy purists to take special interest in. Second, it showed us that Gouges is back on top in a big way. This Nuits-St-Georges benchmark "hits hard" in 2023 according to Andrew, with a standout range that eclipses even some previously acclaimed vintages, in his opinion.
The village Nuits is always an "energetic gem that does everything it's supposed to do" in fine fashion, while the 1er crus simply shine, in our humble opinion. The 2023 Clos des Porrets St-Georges is "an indisputably classic 2023 NSG 1er cru in every way," while the Pruliers "takes this site to the level of more lauded crus like its stablemate, the Vaucrains." Speaking of which, this stellar cru produced a potential 96-pointer that Jasper Morris calls "Immediately classy on the nose from this great terroir. Not hugely open, but very fine, and this continues on the palate. A sense of refinement despite the level of energy." Finally, the Les St-Georges makes a fine case for this vineyard as the best in the appellation (perhaps deserving of grand cru status?). Burghound describes the 2023 as "super-sleek, intense and detailed, mineral-driven and muscular," showing all the pedigree of this hallowed site in a vintage that allows it to shine in every facet.
Needless to say, when we were offered our allocation, we jumped on every last bottle, so now our Burgundy collectors can stock up on some of the sharpest collectible gems of the vintage at superb, market-leading pricing. |
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Quite possibly the wine of the 2023 vintage for Gouges in my estimation, the Pruliers 1er Cru embodies everything that made this vintage so successful for the domaine. Across the board, these were some of the most perfumed, delineated wines we've tasted yet this year, and the structural and textural finesse are almost unbelievable for Nuits-St-Georges. The Pruliers is more forthcoming than the Vaucrains in its fruit profile but slightly more subdued in its minerality (which is no knock on either wine, it must be noted). An immediately arresting, heady aromatic profile is centered on super-vibrant cherry, raspberry, and rhubarb also shows flecks of darker black fruit at the edges along with a slightly closed site signature. Like all the Gouges 2023s, the purity of fruit is off the charts. The clay-heavy soils no doubt contribute to its upfront personality, which translates the fruit profile beautifully to the palate. The texture is compact yet also wonderfully silky – it almost demands to be enjoyed now, but that compact nature suggests you should definitely stash some away. This is going to be a special Pruliers in the due course of time, as stunning as it is even today.
95 points, Andrew Kitz, B-21 Burgundy Buyer (Oct 2025)
Rich purple. Very oaky on the nose, but note that this is still in wood, unracked. Sample taken from all barrels. Sturdy stuff, very Nuits-St-Georges with plums and a little suggestion of a peachier aspect, gourmand and juicy, yet with a fine clean structure at the back. I like this more and more as it progresses across the palate. Drink from 2030-2037. Tasted Nov 2024.
92-94 points, Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy (Jan 2025)
This is open and full of sweet spices—vanilla, cinnamon, clove and nutmeg—along with black cherry and black currant fruit. Polished and generous, this red picks up a licorice accent on the long aftertaste. Solid and better in two to three years. Best from 2029 through 2045.
94 points, Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator (Feb 2026)
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