Domaine Henri GOUGES (Nuits-Saint-Georges) -- 2018 Tasted from Barrel and Bottle and a 2017 Tasted from Bottle

(Please see my overview of the vintage here.)

Gregory Gouges said that the 25 July hail caused losses in Les Saint-Georges, Vaucrains, and Chênes Carteaux, all south of Nuits-Saint-Georges. Overall, the estate made 20hl/ha, with 50% losses where there was hail. 

Harvesting began on 8 September. Vinification was classic for the estate — all grapes destemmed, 20% new wood. 

Malo-lactic fermentations were early for the estate, finishing by the middle of December, and so bottling is early, with several of the wines already being in bottle when I visited in late October 2019.

Alcohols range from 13.5% to 14.5%. Although I generally disfavor Burgundy at 14% alcohol, much less 14.5%, I found the wines here open and expressive, and they were able to handle the higher alcohols, being successful across the board. (Continue reading here.)