2022 Nuits-St Georges, Vieilles Vignes, Patrice & Maxime Rion, Burgundy

100% destemmed. Cask sample.

Mid cherry. Bright red berries, cherries, strawberries, redcurrants, and a touch of iodine are also available. Bright and vivacious, with ripe fruit on the palate. Early days. Looks good.

Drink 2025 - 2035

From a one-third, two-thirds blend from Les Plateaux and Les Longecourts.

A fresh and distinctly earthy mix comprises notes of poached plum, black raspberry, and forest floor. The delicious and energetic middleweight flavours are not especially concentrated, but there is an unusually good refinement for the appellation, along with an appealing minerality on the mildly austere finale, where a touch of warmth gradually emerges.

Drink 2030+

A blend of purchased fruit from Les Longecourts, and one third their own Plateaux vineyard. All destemmed. Deep crimson purple. The bouquet shows a firm yet full dark red fruit, fairly classical Nuits-St-Georges, fully ripe plums, a balanced tannic structure behind, with adequate acidity. The finish maintains very well.

Drink 2029 - 2035

The 2022 Nuits Saint-Georges Vieilles Vignes comes from the plateau one-third) and the rest from the lieu-dit of Longecourts. This was completely de-stemmed. The pure and delicate bouquet unfolds in the glass: crushed limestone and black cherries, just a hint of liquorice emerging with time. The medium-bodied palate brings dark berry fruit laced with blood orange and touches of granite. It is very strict and focused, with a tang of marmalade towards the finish. It will require 4-5 years in bottle.

Drink 2027 - 2045