2010 Domaine Robert Chevillon Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Pruliers 1er Cru

The 2010 Nuits St. Georges Les Pruliers is wonderfully complete. All the elements that make the 2010s at this estate so striking are present in the glass. An open, expressive bouquet melds seamlessly into red fruit in this stunning wine. The finest, silkiest of tannins frame the fruit through to the supple, inviting finish. Veins of minerality give the Pruliers its focus and balance. Everything is simply in the right place. The Pruliers is made from two parcels of 50+ year-old vines. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2030. I have to say, this is a stunning set of wines from Denis and Bertrand Chevillon. The Chevillons told me they were surprised by the quality of the wines given the challenges of the growing season. The 2010s saw 5-10 days of cold soak, followed by 15-21 days of cuvaison. The wines were aged on their lees in French oak barrels, 30% new for the top wines and less for the mid- and entry-level wines. The 2010s will be bottled beginning in March 2012 through July 2012. Unfortunately, the 2009s were in an awkward stage on my last visit, so I had to wait a few more months to taste those wines. It was worth the wait. Chevillon’s 2009s are among the wines of the vintage. The 2009s were bottled beginning February (for the entry-level wines) through April for the top selections. I will report on the domaine’s 2009s in the April issue. Importer: Kermit Lynch, Berkeley, CA; tel. (510) 524-1524

Bright red with ruby highlights. Aromas of cassis, blueberry and cardamom, lifted by a stony quality. Densely packed and tightly wound; less expressive today than the Roncieres but thick, sappy and pure, with violet and licorice notes perking up the dark fruit flavors. The long but youthfully bound-up finish leaves a note of bitter chocolate.

The 2010 Nuits St. Georges Les Pruliers is wonderfully complete. All the elements that make the 2010s at this estate so striking are present in the glass. An open, expressive bouquet melds seamlessly into red fruit in this stunning wine. The finest, silkiest of tannins frame the fruit through to the supple, inviting finish. Veins of minerality give the Pruliers its focus and balance. Everything is simply in the right place. The Pruliers is made from two parcels of 50+ year-old vines. Anticipated maturity: 2020-2030. ||I have to say, this is a stunning set of wines from Denis and Bertrand Chevillon. The Chevillons told me they were surprised by the quality of the wines given the challenges of the growing season. The 2010s saw 5-10 days of cold soak, followed by 15-21 days of cuvaison. The wines were aged on their lees in French oak barrels, 30% new for the top wines and less for the mid- and entry-level wines. The 2010s will be bottled beginning in March 2012 through July 2012. Unfortunately, the 2009s were in an awkward stage on my last visit, so I had to wait a few more months to taste those wines. It was worth the wait. Chevillon’s 2009s are among the wines of the vintage. The 2009s were bottled beginning February (for the entry-level wines) through April for the top selections. I will report on the domaine’s 2009s in the April issue. Wine Advocate.February, 2012