1999 Nuits St Georges Les Pruliers

(this was the Lécheneaut brothers' first vinification of this wine, from vines planted in 1973 and 1974 that they had just purchased from the Château de Bligny): Medium, slightly dull red with some amber at the edge. Balsamic aromas of prune, brown spices and leather turned a bit darker and fresher with air but remained somewhat generic, like mature Côte de Nuits Burgundy. A bit simple and warm but with its inviting decadent sweetness countered by a bit more acidity than I would have expected from the nose. Still, this premier cru doesn't quite come alive. Finishes with dusty tannins. This is beyond the fruit stage but Philippe Lécheneaut noted that Pruliers always has an earthy side.