The 2016 Nuits Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Saint Georges includes 40% whole cluster fruit, eight barrels produced from 2.04 hectares, the lowest ever. I have to say that the quality of the terroir comes through on the nose: beautifully defined, mineral-driven, hints of sous-bois underneath the black fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, slightly chalky in style, long and tender with brilliant focus on the finish. Thibaut talked about a verticality of this cru, and I can see exactly what he means. Magnifique!

The 2015 Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru Les Saint Georges contains 30% whole bunch fruit this year. It has a refined and very composed bouquet, detailed with scents of blackberry, raspberry preserve, touches of undergrowth and pressed rose petals. I appreciate the manner in which this gently unfurls with each swirl of the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with a grainy texture, very well-judged acidity, a little "distant" at first but it gradually opens up in your presence, offering fine structure and spice-tinged raspberry and cranberry notes towards the finish. This is a complex and intellectual offering from one of the appellation's greatest vineyards.