2014 Nuits St Georges La Charmotte

Bright, dark red. A basket of dark berries on the nose, plus a complicating element of smoky oak. At once juicy and smooth, showing lovely floral lift to its flavors of dark berries and licorice. Finishes with firm but fine-grained tannins and very good persistence, leaving behind slightly inky violet and licorice notes. This wine could probably be enjoyed already with a meat dish.

(aged in 40% new oak and 60% one-year-old barrels; vinified with 40% whole clusters; the soil is clay over limestone and rocks): Bright medium red. Smoky red fruits, iron and salty minerals on the nose. Smooth on entry, then richer and more horizontal than the Hautes-Côtes de Nuits wines in the mid-palate, showing a restrained sweetness but more texture and volume. Finishes supple and saline but with good grip and energy from the limestone. The first picking is always the best for whole-cluster vinification," notes Liger-Belair, who vinifies with alternating layers of whole clusters and destemmed fruit.

The 2014 Nuits St Georges la Charmotte, from vines located on the north side of the village next to les Bousselots, has an open nose with brambly red berry fruit and subtle earthy tones. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, the 40% whole cluster lending freshness, although I would like a little more precision towards the finish.