Critics Ratings

Henri Gouges Les Pruliers 1er Cru 2005
‘Like the Clos des Porrets, this is muted on the nose but underneath is some complex wild red-berried fruit with a touch of marzipan. For Gouges, I think this will turn into a comparatively exotic nose. The palate has a beguiling density to it with a stern, foursquare facade underneath which lies lovely leaf-tinged damson and red-berried fruit. A “serious” wine for “serious” Burg-lovers. Drink 2012-2020.’ - Neal Martin, Wine Advocate, 91/100 (Feb 2008)

‘This is a bit finer with more emphasis on spice and mineral-infused earth notes that can also be found on the complex and classic Nuits flavors that are at once robust but not really rustic, all wrapped in a sappy, dense and equally serious finish that offers outstanding length. This too possesses terrific aging potential and is recommended. *Outstanding*’ - Allen Meadows, Burghound.com, 90-92/100 (Jan 2007)

‘Scented, rich, full, complete. No compromises. Lots of acidity but somehow more convincing than the Porrets.’ - Jancis Robinson MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17+/20 (Aug 2007)

Henri Gouges Les Vaucrains 1er Cru 2005
‘Wild dark berries, bitter chocolate, minerals, blood orange and crushed rocks on the vibrant nose. Densely packed and wonderfully sweet, but with superb acidity giving it great lift today. Wild red berry flavors are perked up by a suggestion of red grapefruit. As penetrating and fresh as this wine is today, it's also delicious to taste. Surely this will shut down in bottle at some point and last a very long time, but today it's a knockout. This has delivered splendidly on its early promise. Gouges notes that this site ripened its fruit especially slowly in 2005.’ - Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, 93+/100 (Mar 2008)

‘Extremely primary yet multi-dimensional black fruit and earthy aromas introduce rich, full and massive flavors that are powerful, robust and muscled with so much mid-palate sap that the extremely firm tannic spine is almost, if not completely, masked. However, as it always does, the tannins will come out with time and I expect that this will always have a certain chewy quality and will require more than a decade of time in bottle to really begin to round out. Wonderful potential but for the very patient. *Outstanding*’ - Allen Meadows, Burghound.com, 93/100 (Jan 2008)

‘Tasted from barrel, the Gouges 2005 Nuits-St.-Georges Vaucrains displays intense aromas of cherries and their pits. While richer, fuller and broader than any of its predecessors in this collection, this Vaucrains also offers a suffusion of remarkably fine tannins and invigorating juicy fruit. Roasted meat richness, stony, alkaline minerality, and bitter coffee grounds well up from the considerable depths of this imposingly long Pinot.’ - David Schildknecht, Wine Advocate, 91-93/100 (Jun 2007)

Henri Gouges Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru 2005
‘Good deep red. Very sweet aromas of ripe red fruits and iron. Supple, suave and very ripe, but with no impression of heaviness. There's excellent energy to the complex flavors of redcurrant, tobacco, spices and leather. The tannins are quite suave for this village bottling: Gouges notes that the estate has used less of the lees in making this wine the past two or three years. A superb village wine.’ - Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, 90/100 (Mar 2008)

‘The Gouges 2005 Nuits-St.-Georges offers sweet-tart aromas and flavors of dried cranberry and black cherry, hints of high-toned herbs, and a dusty, chalky, toasted nut finish. This displays a somewhat detached acidity and overt tannins, but also a note of textural creaminess. It appears to need more time to knit its structure and overall concentration to render it relatively age worthy for a village Nuits-St.-Georges.’ - David Schildknecht, Wine Advocate (Jun 2007)

Provenance

Private Client