2009 Nuits St Georges Les Damodes 1er Cru

The 2009 Nuits St. Georges Les Damodes is much more interesting than the Porrets. Expressive floral notes lead to crushed rocks and black cherries in this finessed, vibrant wine. Piercing saline notes give the Damodes great energy and thrust, especially within the context of the year. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2029. No known American importer.

The 2009 Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Damodes, from a vineyard on the Vosne side of Nuits, emerges from the glass with an attractive array of sweet spices, mint, white flowers and dark red fruit. This shows fabulous balance and texture, particularly in the integration of fruit and tannin. It's all elegance and class here.

Good dark red. Reticent but pure aromas of ripe black cherry, minerals and flowers; I would have picked this blind as coming from Vosne-Romanee. Densely packed but tight and backward, with juicy flavors of crushed berries, black cherry, minerals and bitter chocolate. Plenty of oak tannins here. This rich and juicy wine will need a good six or seven years of cellaring.